Lavender

[LIZS]

I keep reading that now is the time to trim lavender into shape, after flowering. However ours is still in flower. Do I trim it anyway, if so what can I do with the flowers as it seems such a waste to throw them away.

I always leave mine until the flowering has stopped. we still have flowers on about half of the hedge.

I leave mine until it begins to sprout at the bottom in the early spring. Then chop the rest off and have nice bushy plants later. It may flower a couple of weeks later than other lavenders, but that way the flowers last well into the autumn. There were at least four different species of bee on mine earlier today

I agree...I always prune in early spring....once everything is well dead..

Hm... I trim mine when it finishes flowering and I trimmed it a few weeks ago as it flowered early this year.

I did mine last week, but have saved any flowers that were still going to dry and use. Win win

Don't think it's hard and fast...probably pruning early strengthens root or something and maybe down to the garden generally looking tidier but I'm just lazy and haven't managed to kill my herbs yet.

Don't leave it until the flowers are over, you could kill it if you prune any later than this week as the frost can get in on any new growth generated.

Prune now and use the flowers for lavender bags or leave it all til late April.

Don't leave it until the flowers are over, you could kill it if you prune any later than this week as the frost can get in on any new growth generated.

Prune now and use the flowers for lavender bags or leave it all til late April.

Don't leave it until the flowers are over, you could kill it if you prune any later than this week as the frost can get in on any new growth generated.

Prune now and use the flowers for lavender bags or leave it all til late April.

How much should be pruned off/back?

For a mature plant you can be quite severe with your pruning, up to 2/3rds and can go right into wood if need be. For younger plants still getting established I pruned about a third this year to tidy up the shape.