On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 13:25:28 GMT, frankie
wrote:

I have an old Lavender which has become thick and woody at the bottom
with all new growth + flowers etc. at the top - probably due to
overgrown surrounding plants preventing light + moisture.
How far can I safely cut it back and when would be the best time of
year to do it ?

My daughter had one similar when she moved to a new house. This is
what she did: She dug it up, dug a big hole, and replanted the
lavender with a lot of the woody part below groung. Knowing her she
filled in with good stuff and bonemeal. That was at least 18 months
ago and this year it is looking wonderful, about 2 feet high an full
of flower.
You can do the same with heathers, but lavender will not sprout from
woody growth. If you keep it trimmed each year, it wil stay compact.

Pam in Bristol