The bees are still buzzing around my lavender. Should I wait to cut it back?

[atticusclaw2]

Or should I just go for it before it gets too late? Reluctant to deprive the bees of pollen if they're still managing to collect some.

I've left mine for the same reason

Anything to help the bees

I'm not even sure that they're managing to get any now but I don't want to chop it down and then have a bunch of poor bees tomorrow come looking for breakfast and not finding anything (but at the same time want to chop back the lavender so that we get a good show next year!)

I've just been watching a charm of goldfinches on my lavender. I was going to cut it back this weekend but I can't now.

I do most of my cutting and pruning of flowering plants towards the end of October.There are still far too many creatures nibbling and slurping and carrying bits away for me to want to tidy up now. I'm in Sussex.

Traditionally, you're supposed to do it in late August, but I never do for exactly that reason - and it's always been fine to catch up. I have sometimes left it to the spring, which does mean it looks a big untidy over winter, but it doesn't risk the water and cold getting to newly cut stems. I am in the north, though, and in a cold area where more care is needed - I think in milder climes you could probably get away with it any time over winter!

I didn't know that charm was the collective noun for finches. How lovely.

Just goldfinches shove and very fitting too.

Is the August recommendation about harvesting the heads for use? We waited last year for the same reasons and found the heads were still useable.

I looked it up because this has been bugging me at the edge of my brain - and it turns out that pruning varies according to the type of lavender.

English lavender (the 'traditional'-looking stuff) can be cut twice a year: August and then spring. You can cut into the wood on this and it will spring back (indeed you might have to to stop it going all leggy). I reckon you could get away with a September cut on this, though.

French lavendin (the stuff with the fancy heads) is less hardy so needs a gentler trim in summer and will deeply resent being cut back hard. So maybe don't leave this one too late.

I found this information on - AHEM - the Saga website, which gives more information. I am 37!! It is a bloody good job Mumsnet is anonymous sometimes . (To those who know who I am: if you let on I have been on there I will hunt you down).

www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/advice-tips/pruning/how-to-prune-lavender.aspx

Lol at saga! This is good to know, I have been ignoring my lavender for the last 3 years and it's gone a bit leggy and woody... So if I cut it back hard now it should recover? I want lots of cuttings, I have delusions ideas of a lavender hedge edging to my patio.

Slightly less important now that next doors dog has gone and we no longer have mountains of stinky poo stench drifting over the fence, but still quite a nice idea!

I have always wanted a lavender edged path and at last I have one. The goldfinches are a delightful extra.