Out of control lavender bush and 250 bumble bees

martin2345uk

Hi guys,

We moved into our house last month, and the garden is a bit neglected. One thing it has is a lavender bush that has grown out of control and needs pruning back...

But every day it is completely covered in bumble bees! I like bumble bees, but I don't really want to be cutting up their favourite plant while they're dining on it, they might find this a tad rude and take a swing at me.

What's best to do? Creep out after dark and do it? And what's the best way to prune such a plant also - just cut until it's a small bush again even if it means losing all the flowery ends?

Thanks!

GwylimT

You could wait until it stops flowering and then cut it to a slightly smaller size than you would like as clearly when it starts shooting again it will get a bit bigger.

Leif

For many plants the recommended time to prune is after flowering. Leave the lavender until your bees are nicely satiated and happy, and the flowers are over, then prune it. I prune back the stems, and some of the soft new growth to shape the plant. According to Jekka McVicar's herb book, you should never prune back to old wood. If your plant is past it, then take some semi-hardwood cutting now or in early autumn.

Herbs are lovely for bees. My squash has a flower with three dozy bees inside, maybe it is a bit cool today.

johnsusan

I may be wrong but I think that if you cut a lavender back as far as the wood it will die. You can only cut into the soft growth and make sure you leave some for next year to grow from.

If I am wrong I hope someone with more knowledge will post the correct method of cutting back a lavender.

Good luck

elsien

johnsusan wrote: »

I may be wrong but I think that if you cut a lavender back as far as the wood it will die.

Yep, I've murdered a couple by pruning them too hard, you do need to be careful.
I also have an image of the OP creeping around at night with shears and a headtorch while the neighbours wonder what's going on near the patio.....