Cutting the lavender heather is not compulsory. But if you neglect it, you have to expect many disadvantages. Among other things, the flowers are sparser, the plant tends to become bald over time and becomes more susceptible to fungal diseases. However, don't be too hasty and overconfident!
When and how should you cut lavender heather?
The lavender heather should be cut immediately after flowering in early summer. Prune the plant regularly but lightly to encourage dense growth. Also, immediately remove diseased or pest-infested parts to prevent the spread.
Cut regularly but little
The lavender heather grows at a leisurely pace. It grows very slowly compared to other plants. This can be advantageous, but also disadvantageous. A consequence of the slow growth is that it should not be cut too radically. Otherwise it will look miserable for a long time. Pruning should be done regularly but lightly.
Remove diseased and pest-infested parts quickly
If there is a disease or pest infestation (e.g. by the Andromeda web bug), the affected parts should be cut off immediately so that further spread is prevented. In the case of the Andromeda web bug, cutting must be done by the end of April at the latest so that the larvae cannot hatch from the eggs laid and infect other parts of the plant.
When should he althy lavender heaths be cut?
He althy plants are cut immediately after flowering (usually in early summer). This cut is important and should not be done until autumn or spring. If you cut in autumn or spring, you remove the flower buds for the coming flowering season, which emerge in autumn. The result of pruning: strong shoots and denser growth.
A good side effect: you get cuttings
Pruning can be accompanied by propagation:
- Period: June to July
- Cut 10 cm long shoot diagonally (below a node)
- remove lower leaves
- leave upper leaves
- Prepare the pot with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon)
- Put the cutting in the ground
- when the first new leaves have formed, repot or plant out
A hedge plant that tolerates cutting well
Overall, the shadow bell tolerates cutting well. This, their slow growth, their evergreen foliage, their winter hardiness and their undemanding nature make them the ideal hedge plant (cut hedge, privacy hedge). To care for this hedge, all shoots should be shortened slightly after flowering.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to wear gloves when cutting the lavender heather! Otherwise, you risk the toxic ingredients irritating your skin.
