When and how to cut or even cut? We cut the lavender several times a year. If we do it in the summer, the date of the procedure depends on whether we want to use flowers and their valuable essential oils, or want to enjoy the beautiful smell as long as possible. Pruning lavender also has a great impact on the shape of the plant and its flowering. The first such procedure is performed when the plant is small and uncomfortable. Then even half is cut. Thanks to this, the plant will release a lot of new shoots at the base, creating a dense crown. The next cut is carried out in April. Sick, broken or damaged twigs are cut. Young exuberant shoots are also shortened to get the desired shape. It is important to remember that cutting older branches too close to the ground can cause the flower to not release new shoots. The next cut is systematically carried out after the flowering of individual inflorescences, cutting it out with a fragment of the shoot of several centimeters. If we want to use flowers and their properties, we cut lavender before full flourish. The color of the inflorescences is already clearly visible, but the petals remain in buds. Then the plant contains the most essential oils. The time of day is also important. It’s best to cut the lavender into a sunny morning when the plant manages to dry out of morning dew. The closer to the evening, the lower the oil concentration. Cut the branches with a sharp pruning shears.
When and how to cut lavender after flowering? The principle of English gardeners
If we do not care about harvesting and want to enjoy flowers in the garden or on the balcony, we cut the lavender as long as possible after flowering. Here, the principle of two eight used by English gardeners can be helpful. So we cut lavender in the eighth month of the year and 8 inches (about 20 cm). However, it should be remembered that it is only about cutting the faded flowers along with leafless stems. The length of cut shoots also depends on the height of the plant. Some are much smaller than 20 cm. Then we cut shoots just above the leaves, about 5-7 cm below the faded inflorescences. Remember not to cut too low, in the woody parts of the shoots, because lavender may not release new ones here. We use clean and sharp pruning shears for cutting lavender. Blunt tools can damage shoots and expose the plant to infections.
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