Lavender lignifies with age
Lavender is characterized by a relative long and profuse flowering period and also tends to grow quite large very quickly. Bushes planted in the garden in particular can live up to 20 or even 30 years with good care, although the older they get, the more or less wood they become. This is a normal process because the older shoots of lavender lignify from below. However, neither leaves nor flowers develop from this wood, which is why the lavender often becomes bald with age.
also read
- Do not cut faded lavender too late
- Lavender grows splendidly with appropriate care
- Rejuvenate lavender - how to do it?
This baldness can only be avoided by regular pruning, but it cannot be completely prevented. This is why cutting the lavender every year is immensely important, with you but the right time should pay attention to. If possible, cut your plants in spring, before the first new shoots start to rain, by at least half. The old branches that have been cut away can no longer become lignified, but the bush is stimulated all the more to form new, young shoots. However, be careful not to cut into the old wood.
Cannot divide older plants
Old, heavily lignified lavender bushes are usually unable to rejuvenate and also not to shareas it would otherwise be possible with most perennials. A radical rejuvenation cut or a division usually has the consequence that the plant dies. You can only try to cut back the old bush so that only a few centimeters of green wood - i.e. younger shoots - are left on the woody parts. The lignification itself should not be removed. Bushes pruned in this way usually sprout again vigorously.
Tips & Tricks
If you have an old, heavily lignified lavender in the garden, then cut some cuttings and plant them. In many cases, the old bush can no longer be saved, but it can be used as a mother plant for young lavender.
IJA