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Post by dirtyboots on Mar 15, 2008 17:34:36 GMT
We have a lavender just outside the front door which is about 5 years old. It has become woody in the middle,should I cut it back or leave it well alone?  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 15, 2008 17:40:32 GMT
The problem with Lavender is that is doesn't like being cut back into wood - it an kill the plant. Lavender needs pruning after flowering each year.
I honestly would either leave it or dig it up if it is too "ugly" and plant new ones.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 15, 2008 18:15:06 GMT
or you could let it grow this year and take cuttings from the new shoots dirtyboots, then you won't really have lost anything  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 15, 2008 18:26:43 GMT
That's a good idea. A radical approach is this:- Dig up the whole plant, then bury it again, but much deeper, so that only the fresh growth with leaves is above soil level. Seemingly, the bare woody branches will throw out new shoots, and you'll get new plants. If you feel the plants are pretty ugly, why not buy new ones, take cuttings from the old ones, and then try doing what I've described? Burying the old plants somewhere else? And after this, prune every spring to just above the softer part of the stem. Lavander is unlikely to shoot from hard wood. Good luck  |
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Post by Amo on Mar 15, 2008 21:22:58 GMT
This isn't mine but it is lovely!  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 15, 2008 21:28:53 GMT
Certainly not giving up without a fight. Going for diversification. Now it's an art installation. ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 16, 2008 7:17:19 GMT
That's a little bit woody isn't it .....as Wee says it is now a work of art.....it looks rather good doesn't it!!
RF
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Post by dirtyboots on Mar 16, 2008 9:38:19 GMT
Thanks for that Amo! This is mine,  I'm a bit busy at the moment with family coming for 10 days,so I'll leave it for now. I like the idea of planting it deep Wee. Took cuttings last year but forgot about them, now they are all dead  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 16, 2008 18:28:13 GMT
That looks pretty good for a mature plant. I would be tempted to leave it. In the autumn, trim to just below the flower spikes. Then next spring, cut down to where you can see new shoots forming.
When we buy new Lavender we expect it to stay a nice green bushy plant covered in leaves, but that is not it's natural state most of the time.
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