Lavender needs pruning at least once a year to keep in good heart. The best time to do this is at the end of winter, cutting the bush back by one-third. Cut the bush into a ball , not a mushroom; be sure not to cut up or trim away the lower branches. Lavender also responds well to a pruning after the main flowering, especially if you haven’t been picking to any great extent. If you’re picking the flowers regularly and cutting the stem with some leaf at the same time you won’t have to prune as much. Never cut into old wood. Lavender is likely to die if drastically pruned. If a bush of three or four years old has fallen open in the centre, try earthing it up, piling soil over the bare woody stems at the centre. They may produce new shoots, but replacement is usually the better option. Lavenders may need to be replaced every four years or thereabouts. If well looked after they can last for 7 to 10 years.

bubble, hea

ling, fizz balls, hand made soap, powder, linen spray, cupboard hanger, pot pourri,pillowcases, candle, candles, traycloth, tablecloth, pyjamas, gown, scented, medicinal, essential oils, lavendula, potpourri, recommended reading, Spanish, toiletries, Lavandula Angustifolia, Lavendula Dentata, aromatic, cooking, Lavendula Lanata, soothing, petals, calm, bathing, bloom, bouquets, colours, cultivars, drying, relax, flowers, sachets, sleep pillows, dream pillows, wands, wreaths, analgesic, antispasmodic, ants, flower heads, French, garde lavandin, lavendar, lavender water, Old English, Lavandula Latifolia, Lavendula Spica, Lavendula Stoechas, Lavendula x intermedia, botanical, Provence, arthritis, astringent, backache, bad breath, bruises, burns, cellulite, circulation, clippings, companion planting, coughs, cracked heels, cramps, depression, dizziness, Dutch, epilepsy, fatigue, flu, fragrance, Giant English, gout, Grandmothers Old, grazes, hair, headaches, hedge, indigestion, infected cuts, inflammation, insect bites, insomnia, itchiness, Lavendula multifida, Lavendula x allardi, menopause, mice, mildew, mosquitoes, muscles aching, nasal congestion, nausea, nervousness, odours, rheumatism, scalp itchy or dry, sadative, sinuses, stings, sprains, stress, strewing herbs, sunburn, tension, toner, tonic, revive, cooling, burns, escapism, essential, oil, tension, mothers, day, birthdays, wedding anniversary, anti-microbial, agent, aromatic, ingredient, insecticide, disinfectant, aphrodisiac, incens, deoderant, flavour, headaches, palpitations, hoarseness, toothache, colic, coughs, digestion, water-wise, detox, old fashioned, regenerative, vapouriser, massage, quality, unwind, rejuvenating, photos, photographs, photographic, gallery, links