Lavender is a garden favourite, but without pruning it soon turns woody and straggly. With a simple yearly routine you can keep it compact, healthy and full of flowers.

Tools You’ll Need

• Sharp secateurs or small shears
• Gloves (lavender stems can be scratchy)
• Trug or bucket for clippings

When to Prune Lavender

• Main prune: Late summer to early autumn (August–September), just after flowering.
• Light tidy: Spring (April), to remove frost damage and reshape.

How to Prune Lavender in Late Summer

1. Wait until flowers fade – once blooms are past their best, get ready to prune.
2. Remove spent flower stems – cut flower stalks down into the leafy growth.
3. Trim the green growth – take off 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) of soft new stems.
   • ✅ Always leave some green shoots.
   • ❌ Never cut into bare, woody stems – they don’t regrow.
4. Shape into a dome – prune evenly so the plant forms a neat mound.
5. Clear clippings – collect and compost trimmings.

Example: Pruning a Healthy Young Lavender

[Insert Image: lavender-young.png]
Caption: Cut just into the green growth, avoiding the woody base.

Light Spring Tidy

1. Check for winter damage – snip off any dead or blackened tips.
2. Even up the shape – trim straggly shoots to restore the dome.
3. Keep it light – the main shaping was done in late summer.

Example: Pruning an Older Woody Lavender

[Insert Image: lavender-woody.png]
Caption: Cut above the woody stems – never into bare wood.

Extra Tips for Success

• Young plants (1–2 years): Pinch back tips after flowering to encourage bushy growth.
• Older plants (5+ years): If they’ve gone very woody, replace them or take cuttings.
• Cold areas: Do a lighter prune in autumn to stop wind damage, then finish shaping in spring.

Key Routine to Remember

• Late summer – main prune (after flowering).
• Spring – light tidy (to refresh and remove frost damage).