Lavender shrubs can produce beautiful flowers for decades (Image: Getty)
Around the seven-year mark, shrubs might start to appear woody, producing fewer . Fortunately, Lindsey Chastain – the founder of , a blog featuring tips – has revealed how to look after shrubs.
Lindsey said: ” can become and fewer . This is often due to inadequate pruning.
“The good news is reviving a woody plant is very possible with proper care.” The first step in revitalising is to prune the “significantly”, said Lindsey.
The expert advised: “Cutting about two-thirds of the away will stimulate fresh new growth from the base.”
She instructed: “Make clean cuts above any bare or dead woody stems. Next, shape and trim the remaining stems and foliage to balance the “
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Pruning is a vital task to ensure future flower growth (Image: Getty)
Like many keen gardeners, Lindsey was initially hesitant to prune her lavender plants. Her advice to fellow gardeners is to “just proceed with caution” as it’s always possible to trim more later.
When to prune lavender?
October is the ideal time to prune lavender, so it’s best for gardeners to get their gardening shears ready. In addition to pruning, ensuring good drainage is “key to preventing woody plants” in the future.
Lindsey recommended: “Make sure the lavender has well-draining soil. Add compost or gravel to improve drainage if needed.”
As lavender “thrives in drier conditions”, gardeners only need to water them when the soil is dry two to three inches below the surface.
Lavender is a gorgeous shrub (Image: Getty)
Lindsey also suggests feeding the lavender plant with a balanced fertiliser or compost tea a few weeks after pruning to “encourage growth”.
The expert concluded: “With proper pruning, favourable growing conditions, and regular feeding, your lavender should produce lush green foliage and an abundance of flowers once again in a few seasons.”
For those who want to see the fruits of their efforts now, Lindsey advised: “Be patient… it can take time to rejuvenate an overgrown, woody lavender plant.”
Over time, with the correct pruning done (as well as other good gardening conditions) be assured the lavender plant will produce an “abundance of flowers” once more.