Lavender, which comes from the Mediterranean region, is a popular plant for the garden and balcony due to its intense scent and lush flowers. However, to ensure that the perennial plant continues to thrive and bloom vigorously even after many years, it must be cut regularly.
How to rejuvenate woody lavender?
Woody lavender can be rejuvenated by regular pruning in spring, but cannot be completely prevented. Prune young shoots to encourage the bush to produce new shoots. Dividing or radically cutting back older plants is not recommended as this could cause them to die.
Lavender becomes woody with age
Lavender is characterized by a relatively long and lush flowering period and also tends to grow quite large very quickly. Bushes, especially those planted in the garden, can live up to 20 or even 30 years if well cared for, although the older they get, the more or less woody they become. This is a normal process because the older shoots of lavender become woody from below. However, this wood produces neither leaves nor flowers, which is why lavender often becomes bald with age.
Rejuvenate lavender through regular pruning
This baldness can only be avoided through regular pruning, but it cannot be completely prevented. That's why cutting the lavender every year is extremely important, although you should pay attention to the right time. If possible, cut your lavender by at least half in spring, before the first new shoots appear. The old branches that have been cut away can no longer become woody, but the bush is even more stimulated to form new, young shoots. However, be careful not to cut into the old wood.
Dividing older plants not possible
Old, heavily woody lavender bushes generally cannot be rejuvenated or divided, as would otherwise be possible with most perennials. A radical rejuvenation cut or division usually results in the plant dying. All you can do is try to cut back the old bush so that there are only a few centimeters of green wood - i.e. younger shoots - left on the woody parts. The woodiness itself should not be removed. Bushes pruned in this way usually sprout again vigorously.
Tips & Tricks
If you have an old, heavily woody lavender in the garden, cut 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.
