Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

This is my first time with lavender.

TIA

--

Zone 24/8
So. Calif Coastal

Polar

Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

I trim off the spent blooms and my daughter uses them for all kinds of craft
projects. Sometimes they will bloom again. If they do, I trim them again. I've
never in 20 yrs. of growing lavender ever cut them back to the ground.
Sue in Mi. (zone 5)

On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 20:22:35 -0800, Polar wrote:

Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Yes. You will want to trim the spent blooms back and give the foliage a
bit of a haircut while you are at it. Not too much though - just enough
to restore the shape of the plant. This helps to keep the lavendar from
getting too leggy.

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

I tried this once. I don't recommed it


--

Matt...
Zone 5 - Washington

On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 20:22:35 -0800, Polar
wrote:


Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

This is my first time with lavender.

TIA

I cut my lavender back to 6" when it starts to look bad. Generally
that happens anywhere from July to September whenever we get too much
rain. It splays out in all directions, then it needs a haircut. The
pruning helps it dry out and triggers new growth. I found that an
established lavender plant does very well if it is neglected--I don't
water nor fertilize and it grows well. It lives in a hot sunny spot
between two large sections of concrete (helps sweeten the soil) and
it keeps its leaves thoughout the winter (zone 7).

On Sun, 02 Feb 2003 19:45:33 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 20:22:35 -0800, Polar
wrote:


Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

This is my first time with lavender.

TIA

I cut my lavender back to 6" when it starts to look bad. Generally
that happens anywhere from July to September whenever we get too much
rain. It splays out in all directions, then it needs a haircut. The
pruning helps it dry out and triggers new growth. I found that an
established lavender plant does very well if it is neglected--I don't
water nor fertilize and it grows well. It lives in a hot sunny spot
between two large sections of concrete (helps sweeten the soil) and
it keeps its leaves thoughout the winter (zone 7).

Thanks to all for tips on pruning lavender.

Big help.

They are in a landscaped area where the other plants need reasonable
water, so I hope the H2O doesn't discourage the lavender!



--
Polar

I've had to cut my lavender back because my dogs trampled it. I was afraid
they'd killed it, but cut it down to only a few inches hoping for a
recovery. Sure enough, it came back as strong as ever.

"SAS567" wrote in message
...
Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

I trim off the spent blooms and my daughter uses them for all kinds of
craft
projects. Sometimes they will bloom again. If they do, I trim them again.
I've
never in 20 yrs. of growing lavender ever cut them back to the ground.
Sue in Mi. (zone 5)

Don't worry - mine's within 2 feet of a downspout. Just make sure you've
got it planted in a raised area, or that your soil drains quickly.

"Polar" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 02 Feb 2003 19:45:33 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Fri, 31 Jan 2003 20:22:35 -0800, Polar
wrote:


Should I just cut off the spent blooms? How far down?

Is there any reason to cut plant back to the ground?

This is my first time with lavender.

TIA

I cut my lavender back to 6" when it starts to look bad. Generally
that happens anywhere from July to September whenever we get too much
rain. It splays out in all directions, then it needs a haircut. The
pruning helps it dry out and triggers new growth. I found that an
established lavender plant does very well if it is neglected--I don't
water nor fertilize and it grows well. It lives in a hot sunny spot
between two large sections of concrete (helps sweeten the soil) and
it keeps its leaves thoughout the winter (zone 7).

Thanks to all for tips on pruning lavender.

Big help.

They are in a landscaped area where the other plants need reasonable
water, so I hope the H2O doesn't discourage the lavender!



--
Polar