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Lavender blooms on old wood in some cases, but it depends on the variety you’re growing.
If you’ve ever watched your lavender plant produce lots of leafy green growth but hardly any flowers, you might be asking: does lavender bloom on old wood?
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no because different lavender types behave differently when it comes to blooming on old versus new growth.
In this post, we’ll explore whether lavender blooms on old wood, why some varieties flower on old wood while others don’t, and what you can do to encourage more blooms on your lavender plants.
Let’s dig in.
Does Lavender Bloom on Old Wood?
Lavender does bloom on old wood, but only certain varieties do this.
The key is understanding the difference between old wood and new wood on your lavender plant.
Old wood is the older, thicker, woody growth that has been on the plant for more than a season.
New wood is the fresh, soft, green growth that appears in spring and summer.
Some lavender varieties, particularly English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), tend to bloom on old wood.
Other types, like French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and Spanish lavender (Lavandula dentata), mainly bloom on new growth.
So whether lavender blooms on old wood really comes down to the specific variety you’re growing.
1. English Lavender Blooms on Old Wood
English lavender is one of the most common types grown in gardens, and it does bloom on old wood.
This variety produces flower spikes from the previous year’s growth.
That’s why English lavender can start blooming earlier in the season compared to other types.
If you prune English lavender too hard and remove all the old wood, you might lose that season’s blooms.
So knowing that lavender blooms on old wood with English varieties helps you prune at the right time.
2. French and Spanish Lavender Bloom on New Wood
French and Spanish lavender are different.
These varieties bloom on new wood, which means they produce flowers on the fresh growth that appears in the current season.
That’s why you’ll often see these lavenders blooming later than English types in warm climates.
If you prune them in early spring before new growth starts, you won’t lose blooms because they flower on the new wood that comes after.
So when you ask does lavender bloom on old wood, the answer depends on whether you’re growing English, French, or Spanish lavender.
Why Does Lavender Bloom on Old Wood for Some Varieties?
The reason lavender blooms on old wood for certain varieties comes down to how the plant develops its flower buds.
1. Bud Formation Happens the Previous Season
English lavender forms its flower buds on old wood during the previous growing season.
Those buds stay dormant through winter and then bloom when the weather warms up in spring.
This is why lavender blooms on old wood for these varieties.
The old growth already has the buds ready to go.
2. Cold Hardiness Plays a Role
English lavender is more cold-hardy than French or Spanish types.
That cold hardiness allows it to keep its old wood through winter without dying back completely.
Since the old wood survives, the flower buds on it survive too.
That’s another reason lavender blooms on old wood for English varieties.
3. Pruning Timing Matters
If you prune English lavender in late fall or winter, you risk cutting off the old wood that holds next year’s flower buds.
That means fewer blooms the following season.
The best time to prune English lavender is right after it finishes blooming in summer.
This way, you shape the plant without removing the old wood that lavender blooms on.
How to Encourage Lavender to Bloom on Old Wood
If you want to make sure lavender blooms on old wood in your garden, here are a few things you can do.
1. Prune Lightly After Blooming
Only trim back the flower stems and a little of the soft growth after blooming.
Leave the old wood intact so next year’s buds have a place to form.
This is the best way to ensure lavender blooms on old wood season after season.
2. Avoid Cutting into Thick Old Wood
Old wood on lavender doesn’t regenerate well.
If you cut too far into the thick, woody stems, the plant may not produce new growth from those spots.
So while lavender blooms on old wood, you still want to protect that old wood from drastic pruning.
3. Provide Full Sun and Good Drainage
Lavender blooms best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Healthy plants that get enough sunlight produce more flower buds on old wood.
So give your lavender the conditions it loves and you’ll see more blooms.
So, Does Lavender Bloom on Old Wood?
Lavender blooms on old wood for English lavender varieties, but not for French or Spanish types.
The answer to does lavender bloom on old wood depends entirely on the variety you’re growing.
English lavender forms buds on old wood and blooms earlier in the season.
French and Spanish lavender bloom on new wood and flower later.
Now that you know how lavender blooms on old wood, you can prune and care for your plants with confidence and enjoy more beautiful blooms year after year.