Lavender is a plant that does not require special care, with the exception of double pruning. Let's find out how and when to do it.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himLavender is a plant that does not require special care, with the exception of double pruning. Let's find out how and when to do it.
La lavender essence it is an undemanding shrub to grow. What characterizes it are the purple flowers which, depending on the variety, can grow up to one meter.
The plant is popular not only for its scent, but is also used as a medicinal plant in the medical and cosmetic industry. If you have lavender in the garden or on the balcony, you should prune it twice a year. (Read also: The legend of the lavender bloom in Provence (PHOTO))
Index
Lavender: origin and uses
When one thinks of lavender, the first thing that comes to mind are the huge fields of purple flowers in Provence but the plant is native to the entire Mediterranean coast. L'essential oil of lavender it is used in perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics; in Mediterranean cuisine, dried twigs are used in stews, salads and even desserts.
In gardens and balconies, lavender is mostly used as ornamental plant for the intense scent that attracts bees and butterflies, but which keeps mosquitoes away.
Cutting lavender: how to proceed
Make one pruning Adequate care is important in caring for this plant, and if not done the shrub will continue to grow spontaneously, but will eventually lean to one side. What is pruning for? So, lavender is less woody and grows nice and compact.
First cut in spring
La Most important pruning takes place in the spring and it must be done before the new shoot; the best period is from the end of March to the beginning of April.
How to do it? Cut back all flowering shoots the previous year to no more than two-thirds of the plant; be careful not to cut too deep into the wood.
Second cut in late summer
Il second cut of lavender it is carried out in summer, between the end of July and mid-August. The right time to cut is when the lavender fades. How to proceed? It is necessary to prune the pedicels by about a third, and avoid removing the young shoots and green leaves.
With the sprigs cut, the extra tip is to tie them together, hang them and let them dry: these give a pleasant scent in the wardrobe and drawers, or you can use them in the kitchen as a salad dressing.
Do's and Don'ts
A good guide to cutting lavender is the one-third-two-thirds method, that is, cut one third at the end of summer and two thirds the following spring.
If you haven't done the second pruning, and the lavender has faded, skip the cutting and wait until the next spring or frost can damage the plant.
Tips for optimal care
Lavender likes sunshine, so pick a sunny place that it is as sheltered from the wind as possible. If you plant it in the garden, a raised bed or a slight slope would be ideal. This shrub also needs a well-drained soil, but remember that it does not like stagnation, so it avoids that the water remains in the vase where it is better there is a hole that allows the excess water to flow out.
Since lavender doesn't need a lot of maintenance, it doesn't even need to be fertilized. Only real lavender is really strong and can withstand even temperatures as low as -15 degrees. Other varieties require protection, and it is best to overwinter them in a pot at about 5-10 degrees in a bright room.
- Follow his Telegram|Instagram|Facebook |TikTok |Youtube
Could it be interesting for you:
- With this plant in your home or garden you can say goodbye to spiders, midges and other insects
- These are the plants that you can safely keep even in the bedroom
- This is the best time to grow saffron, in pots or in the garden
- Garden snails: 10 natural remedies to keep them away from your plants
- Wisteria, pruning time! How and when to prune the most spectacular climbing plant of all
