Re: Lavender
- To: "m*@ucdavis.edu"
- Subject: Re: Lavender
- From: L* I*
- Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 17:25:58 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Tim,
I agree with Jan. Cut back hard. I cut my L. augustifolia down almost to
the woody parts leaving a little green growth on each stem and the plants
bounce right back. In the winter, they get whatever winter rain we get
and a deep watering every six weeks during the summer. It has been
three years and each spring, I get large
bushy plants with non-stop blooms. In fact, this year, I may try a twice
a year trim rather than the annual autumn whacking to keep the
lavenders from smothering nearby herbs.
Angela Lee
Los Angeles (Mar Vista)
> All this leads me to believe that lavender gets "out of hand" sooner, splits
> open and flops when it is grown with summer irrigation and when it is only
> pruned judiciously. I recommend you cut these lavenders hard; by half or two
> thirds. Do it as soon as the main bloom period is over.
>
> Having said all this, I want you to know I have a L. viridis (related to L.
> stoechas) which has only been pruned up to reveal its trunk which is now (6
> years) old and knarley. It is very handsome in its old age. So it's really
> up to you and what effect you'd like to get from your lavenders. They are
> wonderful plants.
>
> Regards, Jan
>
> Tim Toohey wrote:
>
> > I have read somewhere (sorry--I don't remember where!) that it is best to
> > replace Lavenders every three or four years. Two years ago I planted a
> > lavender "hedge" with Lavandula dentata, L. stoechas, and L. x intermedia
> > 'Grosso' (perhaps "Provence). The hedge now is in full bloom, but is
> > beginning to get a little out of hand. It is beloved by bees and numerous
> > hummingbirds here in Los Angeles.
> >
> > Do others have experience on whether it is better to replace the plants or
> > to do some judicious pruning of new growth?
>
> --
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Jan Smithen, gardening teacher
> Los Angeles County Arboretum
> jansmithen@earthlink.net
> Sunset zone : 19
> USDA zone : 10
>
> http://home.earthlink.net/~jansmithen/
>
> Visit the Victorian Rose Garden website at :
> http://victorian-rose.org/
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
