Many gardeners in the UK like to grow lavender because it is strong and beautiful. It also blooms in many seasons.

Lavender is a hardy plant with nice flowers and smell.

But without care, lavender can become untidy.

Monty Don has simple advice to keep lavender from becoming leggy.

What does 'leggy' mean for lavender?

Monty Don's advice will help lavender.

A leggy lavender has long stems and few flowers. It looks woody.

This happens when lavender is not pruned well.

To fix a leggy lavender, prune it in mid-August.

Prune lavender when flowers are done, but not yet making seeds. Cut it back then. Don't wait until flowers are brown.

You can cut lavender hard, but leave new growth.

Lavender can become leggy and messy.

Be careful not to cut too much, or it might not grow back.

The goal is to make lavender compact and nice.

After pruning, lavender will grow fresh and be protected in winter.

Next spring, it will bloom from a nice shrub.

If new shoots don't appear, you might need to start over.

Cutting lavender after it blooms keeps it neat and healthy.