Pruning lavender
Advice for October in the Netherlands
This advice covers English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), the species growing in most Dutch gardens.
English lavender — October
Wait a little longer
Outside April and the period straight after flowering, pruning English lavender is unwise. The plant is then forming buds or overwintering, and a prune costs flowers or frost hardiness. Leave the old foliage in winter as protection.
Pay attention to this
- Wait until April for the real prune.
- Biggest mistake: cutting deep into bare old wood.
- Spanish lavender is more sensitive and is not automatically covered by this advice.
See exactly where to cut
With real hands-on videos in the SnoeiWijs Tuinclub.
Frequently asked questions
- When should you prune lavender?
- Do the real prune in April, as soon as you see new growth and hard frost is over. After flowering, in August or September, only a light trim is appropriate.
- Can I prune lavender in autumn or winter?
- Better not. The old foliage protects the plant against cold; wait until spring to prune.
- Does this also apply to Spanish lavender?
- Not automatically. Spanish lavender is more sensitive and needs a more careful approach than English lavender.