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Lavender - got too woody?

becky.derbyshirebecky.derbyshire Posts: 21
in Plants
I’ve had this lavender in a few years and clearly haven’t pruned it right as it’s gone quite woody but would you give up on this one and replace it with new lavender plants or am I being a bit ruthless and just need to give it some more TLC?

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd remove it
    Devon.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Lavenders aren't expensive to replace, however if you hard prune this I think it will regrow, because I can see new growth breaking from the centre. Probably not a good idea to do it when cold weather is forecast.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree with @Loxely. It would be worth trying  hard prune in a few weeks when you have mild weather forecast to see if it regenerates well from the new basal growth over this spring summer. If not, you can replace it later. Don't beat yourself up about it having got woody. That happens to lavenders eventually even if pruned correctly every year. I don't think they should be regarded as permanent long-lived plants and if you get 5 years out of one without it getting too big/woody you're doing well. Yours looks as if it has grown towards the light so it might be closer to the fence than is ideal, so bear that in mind if you get a new one.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I replace mine as soon as they start to go woody.  They are not attractive in that state and unlikely to recover well from a hard pruning.  A new plant will give you that fresh lush growth and dome shape that makes lavender so popular, despite the way it looks over winter!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Pull out and replace! 
  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,291
    I have learnt the hard way that if you don’t prune then they go woody very easily and you can’t prune into the woody stems. Having said that, I have one specimen which is about 20 years old which is ridiculously woody but I absolutely love it as it spills onto my path and the woody bit is fairly hidden. I have retired a few over the years but take cuttings first so they live on in that way. 
    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    You could dig it out and dig a bigger and deeper hole. Then put it back in again so it is buried considerably deeper then before.
    Before too long lots of new lavender plants will have rooted themselves.

    Bee x 
    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    AuntyRach said:
    I have learnt the hard way that if you don’t prune then they go woody very easily and you can’t prune into the woody stems. I have retired a few over the years but take cuttings first so they live on in that way. 
    So true.
    If you are diligent about pruning right down, just staying into green stems,  it is possible to keep them compact for many years, but most of us have faced your situation. Good advice above. 
    AB Still learning

  • rowlandscastle444rowlandscastle444 Posts: 2,612
    Mine get replaced every five years. On the third year, I collect the seedlings, pot them up, and by the fifth, I have several to go out as replacements.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    edited March 2023
    They strike really easily, if you have the space use all your cut material to start some new plants. On the second year they'll be big enough to plant out. Who doesn't love some free plants?
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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