The Mediterranean lavender, a woody subshrub with herbaceous new shoots, is very suitable for growing a standard tree from. Sometimes you can also buy these pretty lavender stems. So that you can enjoy your tree for a long time, you should cut it regularly.
How do I cut my lavender tree correctly?
To properly prune a lavender tree, prune twice a year: once in spring between March and April before the first shoots and once after flowering between July and August. Only cut green, non-woody shoots to create a harmonious crown.
The right time
The same rules apply to the lavender tree when it comes to cutting as to conventionally growing lavender. If possible, the lavender stem should be cut twice a year, with the main cut taking place in the spring before the first shoots - but only if frost (especially night frost) is no longer expected or a longer warm period is on the horizon. This time is usually between March and April. A second cut takes place after the lavender has bloomed, i.e. between July and August. However, summer pruning must not take place later than the beginning of August, otherwise the lavender will lose its winter protection and freeze - the withered stems help the plant survive the cold season.
Cutting lavender stems – how?
When cutting the lavender tree, you basically proceed in the same way as with normal lavender. Most likely no shoots will grow from the trunk itself, as the plant no longer sprouts from old wood. Ergo, you usually only need to trim the crown. When pruning in spring, cut back around one to two thirds of the new shoots, creating 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 this by its brown color - but to shorten where the shoots are still green. During summer pruning, in principle, only the withered stems are cut off - of course in such a way that an attractively shaped crown is created - and thus the plant is stimulated to bloom a second time.
Growing a standard tree from lavender
If you have a pretty lavender bush and want to train it into a standard tree, proceed as follows:
- Choose a branch that is as strong and straight as possible.
- This should already be woody in the lower area and branch out at the top if possible.
- Support this with a plant stick (€13.00 on Amazon).
- Cut off all other shoots.
- Keep trimming the crown so that it branches nicely.
- Remove all side shoots immediately.
In another method, a cutting is first taken from an adult plant, rooted and then trained into a lavender stem from the start.
Tips & Tricks
Be patient - training a lavender bush or cutting into an attractive lavender standard doesn't happen overnight. This process takes a few years, during which you have to cut again and again and pay attention to optimal care.
