Follow these tips on how to prune your Spanish lavender for optimal growth and blooming.
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Spanish Lavender Overview
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), also known as French lavender, is a woody perennial in the mint family that is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. Reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet, Spanish lavender features evergreen, linear leaves and upright flower spikes that bloom in shades of pink, purple and white from spring through fall. The plant’s flowers are especially fragrant, making it a popular choice for perfumes and potpourris.
Pruning Methods
Pruning is an important horticultural practice that helps to produce strong and healthy plants. It involves the selective removal ofplant parts, such as leaves, stems, flowers, or fruit. Pruning can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to remove damage or disease, to improve the plant’s shape, or to encourage new growth.
Topping
Pruning Spanish lavender is important to maintaining the health and vigor of the plant, as well as encouraging the growth of new, healthy stems and blooms. When done properly, pruning can also help to control the size and shape of your Spanish lavender plants
There are several different pruning methods that can be used on Spanish lavender, but the most common and effective method is called topping. Topping involves cutting back all of the stems of the plant to encourage fresh, new growth.
Topping should be done in early spring, before new growth begins. Using sharp pruning shears, cut all of the stems back to about 6 inches above the ground. Be sure to make clean cuts and avoid damaging the plant’s crown or main stem.
After topping, you may also want to fertilize your plants to encourage new growth. A slow-release fertilizer or compost tea is ideal for Spanish lavender plants.
Fading
Fading is the process of removing spent flower stalks (called “flower spikes”) after the blooming period. This not only keeps the plant tidy, but it also encourages new growth and bouquet production. Fading should be done whenever the flowers start to fade and turn brown. To fade, simply cut the flower spike down to a node (where the leaves are). You can also cut back to just above where new growth is starting to emerge.
Cutting Back
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a fast-growing, woody perennial in the mint family that typically matures to 2 to 3 feet tall and as wide. It’s distinguished by its showy, bract-covered flower heads that bloom atop stems clad with silver-green leaves. Spanish lavender is grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Though the plant benefits from an annual trimming to remove spent flowers and dying leaves, frequent shearing encourages excessive growth of weak, leggy stems. For this reason, it’s best to wait until late winter or early spring to give your Spanish lavender plants a thorough cutting back.
When to Prune
You should wait to prune your Spanish lavender until after the blooming season has ended. This will give the plant time to produce the necessary flowers. Pruning too early will result in fewer blooms.
Spring
Springtime is the best time to prune Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas). This task encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. You’ll need a sharp pair of bypass pruners for this job.
Start by removing any dead, diseased, or dying branches. Cut these back to the point of healthy new growth. Next, cut back any branches that are significantly longer than the others. Cut these back to about 6 inches (15 cm) above the ground. Finally, thin out the plant by cutting back branches that are growing toward the center of the plant. Cut these back to about 2 inches (5 cm) above the ground.
Summer
Summer is the best time to prune your Spanish lavender plants for a couple of reasons. First, the plant is actively growing during the summer months, so it can better handle being cut back. Second, pruning in summer helps encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
To prune your Spanish lavender plants in summer, start by trimming off any dead or damaged leaves and stems. Then, cut back the plant by about one-third its overall size. Finally, shape the plant by trimming it into a nice, even mound.
Fall
Pruning Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) in fall gives the plant a head start on growth in spring. Flowering isn’t as dense after fall pruning, but the plant will be bushier. You can shear Spanish lavender any time of year to maintain its shape, but avoid shearing after early summer so the plant has time to set flower buds for the following season.
How to Prune
To keep your Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) looking its best and encourage optimal growth, you’ll need to prune it regularly. This task is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. With a sharp pair of pruning shears, you can remove up to one-third of the plant’s height.
Remove Dead Wood
Spanish lavender (or lavandula stoechas) is a beautiful, drought-resistant plant that produces showy purple flowers on top of long stems.This type of lavender is native to the Mediterranean and is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens. If you want your Spanish lavender to thrive, it’s important to prune it regularly. Read on for tips on how to prune Spanish lavender for optimal growth.
To start, remove any dead wood from the plant. Cut back any dead or dying branches to encourage new growth. You can also cut back any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other to prevent damage.
Next, trim back the sides of the plant to create a more compact shape. This will help the plant to grow more evenly and prevent it from becoming leggy. Be sure not to trim too much off at once, as this can shock the plant and damage new growth.
Finally, cut back the tips of the branches to promote fuller growth. Lavender blooms on new growth, so cutting back the tips will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
Cut Back Stems
After the lavender blooms have faded and before new growth begins in late winter, cut back the stems by one-third to one-half their length. Use bypass pruners or loppers for stems thicker than 1/2 inch in diameter.
Fade Flowers
As your Spanish lavender blooms, the flowers will gradually fade. Once the blossoms have lost their color and petals begin to fall, it’s time to prune them off. This will ensure that your plant has ample energy to put towards new growth.
To fade flowers, simply snip them off at the base of the stem. You can use scissors or pruning shears for this task. Try to avoid damaging the leaves as you work.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) grows vigorously and produces an abundance of flowers, you must prune it regularly. The best time to prune your lavender is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
Avoid Over-Pruning
Pruning too much can shock the plant and reduce its blooming ability. If you’re not sure how much to prune, it’s better to err on the side of caution and prune less. You can always go back and prune more if needed.
Monitor Plant Health
Prune Spanish lavender plants regularly to keep them healthy and looking their best. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged growth. Then, cut back the plants by one-third to one-half their height. Doing this will encourage new growth and prevent the plants from becoming too leggy. Once a year, give your Spanish lavenders a more drastic pruning by cutting them back to just 6 inches tall. This will help rejuvenate the plants and keep them compact and bushy.
Check for Pests and Diseases
Before pruning, check your plants for pests and diseases. Aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs are all common pests that can infest lavender. Signs of infestation include sticky leaves, stunted growth, and deformed flowers. If you see any of these signs, treat your plants with an organic pesticide.
Common diseases that affect lavender include powdery mildew, root rot, and gray mold. These diseases can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown, the stems to become weak, and the flowers to drop off prematurely. If you think your plant is diseased, take a sample of the affected tissue to your local cooperative extension office for diagnosis. Once you know what disease is affecting your plant, you can treat it with the appropriate fungicide.