Lavender care: pruning and preparing for winter

The right location matters more to lavender than a long treatment checklist. Before planting a border, observe the ground after rain and follow the light during the day.

Sun and drainage

Lavender needs sun and good drainage. Avoid cutting into old leafless wood, where regrowth is unreliable. Winter tolerance varies by type, and container roots are more exposed to cold. The RHS growing guide explains these principles.

Check practical details: does roof water empty here, does the lawn sprinkler reach the border, and is cleared snow piled along the path? Answering these questions helps choose a position before ordering.

Choosing border plants

Compare Lavandula angustifolia with Hidcote. Confirm the supplied size and exact name. A species listing and a named cultivar do not necessarily describe the same dimensions.

Mark the intended border width on the ground. Do not calculate quantities from pot diameter alone. Plan for the developing plant and a usable path.

Before pruning

Identify the leafy part of each plant. If a shrub is already very woody, do not try to correct it with an improvised hard cut. Record flowering time and seek advice for its condition.

A British calendar cannot be transferred directly to a cold autumn in Moldova. “After flowering” does not mean a late-season hard trim regardless of weather.

Containers and borders

For a pot, plan its winter position and check that water can escape. Advice should account for both the container and the lavender. In the ground, observe runoff and the watering of neighbouring plants.

For a contrasting fine texture, read our ornamental-grass guide. An attractive combination does not mean every plant shares the same watering needs.

Does lavender need lots of fertiliser?

Do not assume so. The RHS guide notes its preference for relatively low-nutrient soil. Feeding cannot compensate for an unsuitable position.

What information helps with an order?

Send border dimensions, photographs and a description of the light. We discuss delivery and planting separately and confirm specimens and costs individually.