LifestyleGardeningGardeningLavender is a popular garden plant prized for its fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage, but according to Monty Don it does need one annual job to keep it looking its best15:05, 26 May 2026Lavender is cherished for its wonderfully fragrant blooms and scented foliage, which bring colour to gardens for months on end. It can also repel unwanted visitors such as cats and rats, making it an excellent choice for borders and pots.‌These plants are straightforward to cultivate when positioned in a sunny spot, though they do need one yearly task to encourage bushy regrowth, according to Monty Don.‌In a blog post, Monty said: "To avoid woody, leggy plants, lavender should be pruned every year.‌"The best time to do this is as soon as the flowers start to fade, which, depending on the variety, can be any time between midsummer and the end of August."But do not wait for the seed heads to form or the flowers to turn brown, as you want to allow the maximum amount of time for regrowth before winter."‌The gardening guru advised cutting back vigorously to achieve a neat shape, while being careful to retain some fresh shoots on each stem, reports the Express.This is crucial because lavender frequently won't regenerate from old wood, meaning you could potentially destroy the plant.‌Monty added: "These new shoots will grow fast and provide an attractive and healthy cover to protect the plant in winter and provide the basis of next year's display."Regarding watering lavender during the warmer months, the aim should be to water thoroughly but infrequently, while making certain the water drains properly.In the heat, make sure you water in the early morning or evening, so the water doesn't evaporate in the heat.Article continues belowMore established plants typically require less frequent watering, particularly those planted directly in the ground.If you have a recently planted container plant, be sure to keep it regularly hydrated.The summer months are also ideal months to cut long grass, water plants deeply, create new strawberry plants, and prune fruit trees.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌GardeningFlowersMonty Don