The lavender, which comes from the Mediterranean region, is a popular plant for the garden and balcony due to its intense scent and its lush flowers. However, in order for the perennial plant to continue to thrive and bloom after many years, it must be pruned regularly.
Lavender lignifies with age
Lavender is characterized by a relatively long and abundant flowering period and also tends to get quite large very quickly. Bushes planted out in the garden, in particular, can live up to 20 or even 30 years if they are well cared for, although the older they get, the more or less they become woody. This is a normal process, because the older shoots of lavender lignify from below. However, neither leaves nor flowers develop from this wood, which is why lavender often wilts with age.
Rejuvenate lavender with regular pruning
This bareness can only be avoided by regular pruning, but it cannot be prevented entirely. That's why cutting the lavender every year is immensely important, although you should pay attention to the right time. If possible, cut your plants by half in spring, before the first new shoots appear. The cut old twigs can no longer become lignified, but the bush is encouraged to form new, young shoots all the more. However, be careful not to cut into the old wood.
Dividing older plants is not possible
Old, heavily woody lavender bushes are usually not to be rejuvenated or divided, as is otherwise possible with most perennials. A radical rejuvenation cut or division usually results in the plant dying. You can only try to cut back the old bush so far that only a few centimeters of green wood - i.e. younger shoots - are left on the woody parts. The woodiness itself should not be removed. Bushes trimmed in this way usually sprout vigorously again.
tips and tricks
If you have an old, heavily woody lavender in your garden, take some cuttings and plant them. In many cases, the old bush can no longer be saved, but can be used as a mother plant for young lavender.
IJA