Growing Lavender

In Humid Climates | Black Mold | Sprawling Plants | In Containers | Transplanting

A Case of Sprawling Lavender

"Our lavender has opened in the middle and has sprawled out. We can actually see into the middle of the plant and can see the woody stems. The lavender looks quite ugly other than on the tips where it is green and flowering. Can we save the plants, or should just pull them out and start again? It seems such a shame to throw them out if we can save them."

The Solutions
The reason why lavender sprawls is that the plant has to be pruned at least once a year. The weight of the yearly growth and blooms causes the shrub to fall open and break in the middle.

It is generally suggested that a sprawling lavender over three years old isn't worth saving. You have two choices:

1) Prune it back in small increments. In spring, cut the foliage back by 1/3 to get the new growth going. When the foliage grows back in, cut it back 1/3 again. This is supposed to stimulate new growth at the base of the plant. IF new growth comes up at the base, prune the plant back to JUST above the new growth. Yes, this will take a growing season, but it may well be worth the time and attention.

2) Yank the plant out and start again.