Looking after your lavender in September

As summer winds down here at Yorkshire Lavender, we've been busy harvesting our beautiful blooms. We were joined by a small army of enthusiastic volunteers who helped us gather up all this year's flowers, ready to be sent off for distilling.

It had been an exceptionally hot and dry season - thankfully, lavender is a hardy plant - but nonetheless we were surprised that the blooms were still as fragrant as they were after such a dry spell. Everyone on site was appreciating the scent drifting on the breeze!

If you have lavender in your garden, and haven't yet got the secateurs out yet, there's still time to get your lavender in good shape for next year.

Why Prune?

Lavender may be an easy-going, long-living shrub (some English varieties can live up to 20 years!), but it needs regular pruning to stay in top shape. Without it, lavender becomes woody at the base, weakens over time, and eventually dies back.

Pruning encourages new growth, preserving that perfect shape, and ensuring a fragrant display year after year.

When to Prune?

The best time to prune is late August to early September, just after the lavender has finished flowering. This gives the plant enough time to heal before the chill of winter sets in – so if you haven’t done it yet, now’s your moment!

How to Prune Lavender Like a Pro

• Established plants: Grab your secateurs and remove the spent flower stalks along with about 2.5cm (1 inch) of the current year’s growth – that’s the silvery-grey stems just above the woody base.

• French lavender: A bit more high-maintenance, this one! After the first flowering, prune back hard to about 23cm (9 inches), and continue deadheading through the season to keep it blooming.

  
  

Our Top Tips for Perfect Pruning

✅ Don’t be shy with young plants – pinching back the tips helps slow down woody growth in the centre.

✅ Be bold – cutting back by a third (around 22cm / 9 inches) encourages a strong, compact shape.

❌ Avoid cutting into old wood – lavender doesn’t regenerate well from the woody parts, so always prune just above them.

Final Thought

If you prune before mid-September each year, your lavender will reward you with lush growth, tidy form, and an abundance of blooms next summer.

So show your lavender a little care, just like we do here at Yorkshire Lavender. Your garden (and your nose!) will thank you.