The Mediterranean lavender, a woody subshrub with herbaceous new shoots, is very well suited to growing a standard stem from it. Sometimes you can buy such pretty lavender stems. So that you can enjoy your tree for a long time, you should cut it regularly.
The right time
The same rules apply to the lavender tree with regard to cutting as for the conventionally growing lavender. If possible, the stem should be cut twice a year, with the main cut being in the spring before the first budding - but only if no more frost (especially night frost) is to be expected or if a longer warm period is announced. This time is usually between March and April. A second cut is made after the lavender has bloomed, ergo between July and August. However, the summer cut must not be later than the beginning of August, otherwise the lavender will lose its winter protection and freeze to death - the faded stems help the plant to survive the cold season.
Cut lavender stems - how?
When pruning the lavender tree, you basically proceed in the same way as with normal lavender. Most likely, no shoots will grow from the trunk itself, since the plant will no longer sprout from old wood. As a rule, you only need to trim the crown. When cutting in spring, cut back about one to two thirds of the new shoots, whereby you must create an attractive crown - as evenly round as possible. All shoots that do not fit this shape are shortened accordingly. However, be careful not to cut into the old wood - you can tell by the brown color - but shorten where the shoots are still green. When pruning in summer, basically only the faded stems are cut off - of course in such a way that an attractively shaped crown is also created - and this encourages the plant to flower a second time.
Grow a high stem from lavender
If you have a pretty lavender bush and want to grow it into a standard, proceed as follows:
- Choose a branch that is as strong and straight as possible.
- This should already be lignified in the lower area and branch out at the top if possible.
- Support this with a plant stake.
- Cut away all other shoots.
- Keep trimming the crown to keep it branching out nicely.
- Remove all side shoots immediately.
Another method involves first taking a cutting from an adult plant, rooting it and then growing it into a lavender stem from the start.
tips and tricks
Be patient - growing a lavender bush or cutting into a handsome lavender standard does not work overnight. This process takes a few years, during which you have to cut again and again and pay attention to optimal care.
IJA