How to Prune Sage & Lavender

Sage

• 1

  Cut out all dead and woody branches, stalks and stems. Wait to prune the whole plant until after the bloom season has passed.

• 2

  Cut back 1/3 or 1/2 the size of each plant; taking the top 1/3 off will encourage new top growth and bushiness. Remove stems to at least 2 or 3 inches below the bloom areas. Make cuts near to leaf sections, leaving no long protrusions extending. Try to shape a graceful appearing mound with leaf heights relatively the same.

• 3

  Replace the plants every three to four years, as they begin to lose their scent. Before digging out old plants, take cuttings to use as the new ones.

Lavender

• 4

  Remove browned bloom stalks that weren't harvested. It's ideal to prune lavender soon after blooming. Cut out any other dead wood sections.

• 5

  Cut about 3 inches off the upper stalks all the way around the plant. Remove any sickly or limp stems. If the plant is large and woody, cut back to an area that has many green leaves showing, but no more than about 1/3 of the plant. If too many branches have grown laterally, or into an undesirable area--such as over a walkway--shape the plant by trimming those back, but balance all sides of the plant for appearance.

• 6

  Remove the lavender and plant new lavender plants in the ground when the old ones become too large and woody, overgrow their bounds excessively or aren't putting out full coverings of blooms; if the plant is primarily wood, it's time to replace it.