We have already explained to you how you should cut a woody lavender bush to rejuvenate it. But what is the best thing to do to prevent re-woodiness? If the lavender is woody, this may be due to incorrect care. What measures should you take in advance?
“Regularity” is the key word. As long as you don't neglect the beautiful bushes, you don't have to worry about woody and bare shoots.
This Mediterranean plant is a real treasure for your garden. As if it wasn't enough that she looks beautiful, she also exudes a wonderful scent,attracts beneficial insectsin the garden and can be dried and used as a bouquet or spice.
But in order for it to be able to offer all of this for a long time, you have to invest the necessary time in its care. Specifically, to prevent woody growth, this means regularly pruning the lavender.
Rosemary can also become woody:You can do that.
Cutting lavender: when and how much?
There are two important pruning dates each year: the first is in late winter/spring (ideally before new growth in February or in March at the latest) and the second immediately after flowering. While the first has a somewhat rejuvenating and, above all, nourishing purpose, the second serves more to stimulate a second flowering. A practical side effect is that this also helps prevent lignification.
But it is also important that you cut back the right amount. The following rule tells you how far you can and must cut back the lavender:
- in spring two thirds
- in summer a third
A notice: If you missed the cut in the summer, you should definitely not do it again in the fall. There is not enough time for the shoots to harden, meaning frostbite from frost is quite likely.
The previous degree of lignification is important
A young bush is cut differently than an old, woody one. In general, you should use scissors more sparingly when woody. A young, green lavender bush tolerates pruning very well.
If you are not quite sure about the old specimen, just look at which woody areas new shoots are still forming. You can shorten these old shoots, but in no case below the newly formed ones. Then you risk that this wood will no longer produce any new shoots and baldness is then inevitable. Place the scissors just above the point where the shoot becomes woody.
You can also do what you do with a heavily woody lavender bushread it again here.
If you like the lavender onePruning in springmiss, stimulate it to form lots of branches. So he puts most of his strength there instead of making the old wood even more woody. This is why radical spring pruning is so important so that the lavender does not become woody.
The summer cut for rejuvenation and against baldness
On the one hand, you promote thisPruning in summera second flower formation. On the other hand, it also has a rejuvenating effect, which also affects woodiness - it prevents it. However, this time you shouldn't cut into the wood quite as boldly as you did when cutting in late winter.
The timing depends on the flowers. Once these have pretty much faded, you can use scissors. This is usually late July or early August. You'll soon notice that the shrub is producing new shoots that sprout quickly and vigorously - exactly what you want to keep it compact and prevent the lavender from becoming woody.
How to proceed with woody rosesfind out here.
