Lavender symbolizes the smell of summer par excellence.
Recognizable by its fine blue or purple ears with a delicate scent reminiscent of bergamot and rosemary, this perennial subshrub from 30cm to 1.20 meters in height is often tasted and visited by pollinating insects.
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When to prune lavender?
Once a year, between the end of winter and the beginning of spring or after flowering, it is time to prune this
bushy plant
by folding it back by a third, above the leaves and cutting with a hedge shears or pruning shears to maintain an aesthetic rounded shape.
No need to do the same with old wood, which is devoid of buds.
And to better revive the lavender for the season, cut the faded flowers and remove the twigs or dead wood.
Read alsoLavender, the scent of the Mediterranean
How to maintain an old lavender?
The lifespan of a lavender plant varies between 5 and 7 years on average.
To keep it as long as possible,
regular maintenance
will be necessary, especially since its stems tend to become fragile and woody and the wood tends to take over the vegetative part.
Over time, lavender plants thin out at the base.
To give them a boost, you can remove the oldest and most damaged branches and leaves located near the ground and also optimize the branching of certain stems by pruning them above a start of young shoots, for example.
As for the soil, it should not be too wet at the root level to
avoid excess water
.
Watering should therefore be carried out sparingly and in a measured manner depending on the case, region and climate.
Read alsoWhat is the difference between lavender and lavandin?
How to prepare lavender for winter?
Quite hardy, this Mediterranean plant has good resistance to cold.
It should be noted that cutting back after flowering, in August, is recommended, as is cutting the flower stalks.
In addition, so that it can overcome possible episodes of frost, depending on the region and the climate or due to global warming, it is possible to cover it with fir branches.
In addition, in the event of a very dry season, water very lightly so that it does not dry out.
