Monty Don's pruning advice for a healthier, faster-growing lavender

Gardening expert Monty Don has shared a simple task that can help lavender grow faster and look better: pruning. The television gardener advises that to keep lavender in top condition, gardeners should prune the plant every year.

According to Don, the best time to prune is when the flowers begin to fade, which typically falls between midsummer and late summer, depending on the variety. He cautions against waiting until seed heads form or blooms have withered, as the plant needs time to recover before winter.

Regular pruning is essential, as without it, lavender can become woody and misshapen. Don explains that gardeners should prune back firmly but leave some new shoots, as "lavender will often not regrow from bare wood." The resulting new growth will "grow fast and provide an attractive and healthy cover" throughout the winter, forming the basis for the following year's display.

For those looking to expand their lavender collection, Don suggests using the cuttings from pruning to propagate new plants. To do this, take cuttings from side shoots that are free of flowers, ideally with a heel of bark. Trim the base of the stem, leaving a short section of bare stem, and insert the exposed portion into a pot. Water thoroughly and place in a shaded, humid location—a greenhouse or a polythene bag works well. By the following spring, the cuttings should have established strong roots and new top growth, ready to be transferred to a larger pot.

Lavender thrives in UK gardens, particularly in sunny, well-drained positions, making it a popular choice for raised beds, borders, and containers.