Question
Dear Tom,
I just bought my first lavender plant and have it in a pot on my porch, I've heard I need to cut it back but it aches me to cut my flowers, anyways how low do i go and is it just on the flower stem parts or the whole plant? (please be specific) Do I do it to all of the blooms or just certain raggedy looking ones and when will I see new blooms? I worry about cutting it and then it not making it through the winter when I get busy with school and begin neglecting my plants. Any advise would be greatly appreciated :)

Answer
Hi Kelly,
Thanx for your question.  Cutting back lavender a few inches all around at a time, will encourage fuller, bushier growth.  You can alwasy remove spent blooms.  In the winter, cut the plant back to about 3 or 4 inches from the soil.  Make sure you remove all hard, woody growth.  The plant will be full grown after 3 years and will begin to decline in 5 or 6 years.  The plants usually can last up to 10 years.  I hope this helps.
Tom