Pruning lavender is essential for maintaining a compact shape and encouraging a plethora of blooms each year. The best time to prune your lavender plants is in spring, just as the new growth starts to emerge, and again in late summer after the blooms have faded.

In spring, lightly prune the plant as it begins to come to life after the winter dormancy. This typically means cutting back the plant by a couple of inches, just above the new growth. This encourages the plant to become bushy rather than leggy and woody.The more critical pruning session is after flowering, usually late August to early September. The goal here is to shape the plant and cut off the spent flower stalks, but be careful not to cut into the woody part of the stems where no new growth appears, as this can be detrimental to the plant. Aim to cut just above where you can see new buds forming.

By adhering to this pruning schedule, your lavender will be stronger, more resistant against disease and foul weather, and will reward you with richer and prolonged flowering each year. Remember not to over-prune as lavender can take time to recover from heavy cuts. With proper care, these aromatic plants can enhance your garden for many years.