The French lavender - botanically Lavandula stoechas - is a popular pot plant on the balcony and terrace, mainly because of its distinctive flower shape. In addition, this lavender variety has a very long flowering period. The pretty flowers with the distinctive "bunny ears" can usually be found from May to August.

Prune French lavender every year

Even if the French lavender differs greatly from the other types of lavender in terms of how it is cared for, it is similar in one respect: all lavender varieties must be cut back at least once a year to prevent balding. If lavender bushes are not pruned, they become very lignified and thus unsightly - moreover, no new shoots and thus flowers sprout from the old wood. A vigorous pruning always encourages the plant to produce new shoots and ensures a magnificent flowering period.

Cut French lavender - instructions

The best time to cut the French lavender is early spring, when new shoots have not yet developed. An autumn cut should better be avoided, as this robs the plant of the strength to survive the winter. Incidentally, French lavender is not hardy and should therefore not be planted out in the garden. Proceed as follows when pruning:

  • Use sharp scissors to cut, e.g. B. a rose or hedge shears. (24.99 €)
  • The tool should also be clean so that no pathogens or fungi can establish themselves.
  • It is best to prune in March, but no later than April.
  • Cutting too late ensures that not enough shoots and flowers can develop.
  • Cut back the whole bush by at least half - preferably by two-thirds.
  • However, be careful not to cut into the old wood.
  • If you cut back too deeply, the plant will not sprout again, or only with difficulty.

Do not prune flowers too late

You can often tell that your French lavender is beginning to fade by the fading color of the flowers. You should cut off faded flowers by the beginning / middle of August, because then the plant can invest its energy in a second flowering period instead of forming seeds. In this way you extend the already long flowering period of this lavender species considerably. However, do not cut back later than August, otherwise you will rob the plant of the strength it needs for the winter.

Rejuvenate French lavender

If lavender is not pruned regularly, it will become lignified and literally fall apart. However, only a few leaves and no flowers develop on heavily woody branches, so that the bush becomes bare. In order to rejuvenate an old lavender, you have to cut it back heavily - however, here too, it is important not to cut into the old wood. The rejuvenation cut should only be carried out in spring or early summer so that the plant can recover.

tips and tricks

French lavender in a pot can be cut with little effort: simply gather all the shoots together with a ribbon and cut off this tuft below the ribbon with hedge trimmers.

IJA

Category:

Herbs