In Provence, it is customary to only cut the lavender after it has bloomed - this is usually the case around mid to late August. However, faded lavender should not be pruned that late in Germany, otherwise it develops less resistance to the winter cold.
Cut lavender at the beginning of August at the latest
In German gardens, lavender is topiary in spring, before the first shoots appear. This is usually the case in April. It is better not to cut in autumn, so as not to further weaken the plant before the onset of winter. Pruning after flowering takes place at the end of July, at the latest at the beginning of August - then the lavender still has time to develop a second flower instead of putting its energy into seed production. Finally, with the flowering, the formation of new shoots also stops. When the flowers are cut, only the faded shoots are removed.
tips and tricks
Older lavender should not be pruned as much as young ones, because the plant will not sprout again from the lower, woody parts.
IJA