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Replanting lavender

JoshCJoshC Posts: 14
in Problem solving
Hello all,

We are doing garden renovations at the moment, which has meant shrinking our border area slightly. In turn this meant moving one big and two smaller lavender bushes. 

We did this yesterday and I was careful to dig as far around the base as I could, taking a lot of time doing it. As expected however a lot of fine roots were lost. I dug a large hole and filled with some new multipurpose compost and filled in partially some of the plants’ old soil too, so it’s not so ‘composty’. 

The big bush today appears to be just as normal, maybe a little droopy in places, but nothing compared to the smaller ones whose leaves are 90 degrees downwards from their branches. Not happy. 

I watered the bases a lot to give their new ground a sufficient amount, which (touch wood) has worked for the larger one. 

Does anyone have any tips on what I can do going forward to ensure I can bring them back to life as much as possible? 

Thank you.

Picture is of the droopy one - no idea why it’s put sideways! 


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's the roots of the plant that transport water to the leaves to keep them turgid.
    Where you've broken the roots there aren't now sufficient roots to get enough water to the leaves so they droop.
    I'd suggest get it out of the sun asap and leave it somewhere shady to recover, and trim off some of the green topgrowth so the broken roots don't have to overwork.
    Keep it well watered and cross your fingers!

    I believe the photo thing is a system bug

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JoshCJoshC Posts: 14
    Thank you. Unfortunately no where to put them, I could cover it in a white (reflective) sheet possibly though? Will also trim some of the new growth. 

    Looks like the other big one is drooping this afternoon (sunny day) similarly... My favourite plants too!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    With some of the top growth removed, I think if you can keep the roots moist but not soaked you're in with a good chance

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Can you shade them with a large garden umbrella if you cant move them? 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • JoshCJoshC Posts: 14
    Thanks for the help. Today I have taken a lot off the top and any new smaller branches at the bottom, predominantly the new green branches. As I can’t seem to add a photo to this reply, I’d say around 30cm x 30cm of bush. If I really go for it will, will it then just die with little leaves? The grey leaves seem to still be upright.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If the leaves are now upright it indicates the roots are able to get enough water to them, so hopefully they'll be ok.
    Unless there's a system glitch on this site there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to upload another pic.
    In the past I've hard pruned lavender.
    So long as there are small green healthy shoots lower down you can cut off the stem above them, but see how they get on now before taking further drastic action

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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