A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Lavender help - it's not looking so good

This is my first attempt at photos - thanks to Mary for helping with photobucket info - THANKS!

In my intro I explained that I recently purchased my house - 10/04. Last spring I was elated to see all the pretty flowers by the house - but I had no clue what they were. After they began flowering I could smell that some was lavender - so pretty I harvested it last year, but this year it's not looking so hot - I didn't prune it last year (didn't know I was supposed to) - so I am wondering what, if anything, should I be doing now? Some of the plant looks greyish green and alive, some looks like dead sticks with a little bit of greenish stuff - but just a little. Here are some photos to illustrate what I am trying to describe... lavender
more lavender

and more lavender

what are your thoughts?

Looks like it is in need of some trimming. Personally, I would get rid of the stuff that is not doing so well and give all the green I am seeing room to grow.

I would get rid of all the dead stuff (brown) and trim the rest back to where you have the new green growth starting.

patches

Thanks Triss and Patches - I am so thankful for the info

I agree with Triss and Patches Trimm ALL the brown down 2/3rds but don't cut into wood stocks coming directly from the base then it won't bloom this year and scratch up the soil and give them a good drink of liquid fertilizer you can even give some of the green a good "haircut" lavenders love it right now in the beginning of spring wouldn't even hurt to put some epson salt scratched in the soil . when they're grown strong don't let it "spraw out' it can get too top heavey and begin to 'fall in the center keep the falling branches trimmed and it will produce more blooms and get fuller

We have a local gardening show here, and one week they were saying that lavendar lives only three years. I had never heard that, and I hope it's not true !
I also would trim away the dead stuff and cross my fingers !
My favorite lavendar is the very fragrant English lavendar. Although I think the lacy Spanish one is prettiest. It has no fragrance though.

Hi Deborah,

I've never heard that it only lives three years. I would dispute that because I still have my lavendar plants that I've had for many years and they are doing fine. I love the English lavendar too and the smell is heavenly!

patches

I've never heard of lavender being a three year plant. There annuals, bi-annuals and perennials. Just get into it with some small shears and cut away the dead wood. You won't be left with much except the little green at the bottoms. Lavender needs to be carefully deadheaded. If you don't pick it then ye need to cut the dead blooms at the closest greenery on each stem. The look youhave is because it wasn't harvested completly or deadheaded after blooming. You have some great plants there. Enjoy!

PS if they get to big ye can always divide the plant, but that doesn't look like yer problem now. Good luck!!

Hi all There are some really fantastic hybrids coming out these days, I hate to sound like an advertisment for spring hill lol- but I ordered 3 of their 'wings of night' lavenders, they look amazing in the photos, only hope my sweet little starters will do nearly as well! Go to their site to see what they look like Just thought you might enjoy another lavender option.

Meg

Ok - you guys gave me some great suggestions regarding how to take care of my 'not so hot' lavender - well, I followed your instructions and just look at it now It looks fantastic! I wasn't thinking I'd get much scent or buds off it this year, but now I am thinking I might. Thanks for all your great expertise!

lavender

thanks again!

That looks so awesome now!

Av8trx... good job!

wow!!! they really came back wonderfully!!!

Av8trx,
Those are nice lookin' lavendar plants..

But I wanted to especially THANK~YOU for
the updates..
It's alllways soooooo nice to hear when someone has come here for some help and questions, and they return with such great news...