Leggy lavender

My lavender has been growing happily for about 10 years in a container but is now very woody and leggy. Is it possible to save it by pruning hard back as I've seen suggested on the Norfolk Lavender website? Or should I just give up on it and root some new cuttings?

 

Hi Jervis. Mine did the same some years ago. I pruned hard back and it came again with nice new shoots. I did take some cuttings though before hacking it, just as insurance. I was very popular at my local club and amongst some neighbours, when I was giving away lavender. I suspect the local garden centre would have hated me if they'd known.

In other words, do both. It costs nothing.

 

Great! Thanks very much - this bush is particularly gorgeous and I'd be sorry to lose it. I'll have a go at the weekend!

 

Another way, which has worked for me, is to dig the entire plant up, dig the hole deeper and then replant, burying the plant leaving just this years growth above ground. I tried it with a potted lavender and it worked a treat.

 

I planted a border of lavender along our pathway last year and was amazed how much it grew, after it finishes flowering I'm going to chop it down quite a bit to keep it nice and tidy.
Good luck with yours Jervis.
Helen.xxx.

 

Marley thanks for the advice I think I made a mistake and got the wrong lavender for the place I put them... can't remember which one it was but it's kinda like 'Vera' as I have one of these as well.

My Vera has grown really well this year too but nothing like the lot along the pathway maybe I should have planted some french lavender instead?

I'ave gots some of them too so I might take cuttings of them, as the site is a lovely sheltered spot!
Helen.xxx.

 

I would like a white lavender (or 6) but couldn't find one locally last year. Anyone got any advice? Oh, and I know it isn't exactly an exotic but Boss lady loves it (and I must admit) so do I. Please note I do NOT want my knickers smelling of it.

 

Marley,

Thanks for posting that, it was very interesting especially showing the picture with names. My plants this year are new and I'm always tentative about pruning. There is a cottage in the next village with the most stunning lavenders in pots outside the front door. The lavender spikes just shoot out and flower. I noticed last year they were pruned into balls just larger than a football so I did that with mine but they went downhill. My two new ones are still flowering but hopefully I will have better luck pruning them.

Sarraceniac, one of mine in pots is pale blue with lovely long white "butterfly" tips. It came from my local garden centre and although not all white (or local!) I'll have a look for the label if you like.

TO

 

Thanks for that great info Marley I think you are right about it being Munstead all your information points to it and it does look like the image, mine does seem to be really happy where it is too!

Helen.xxx.

 

Sounds interesting TO. If you can find out what it is I could possibly source one.

 

That makes sense Marley because those shrubs did flower well before mine did. Mine are still flowering so I'll follow your advice and give them a light clip this year.

Sarraceniac, I'll have a look in my shed for the label.

TO