Putting lavender plants outside

[barb1314]

Hi,hope someone can advise.Yesterday in the lovely sunshine I bought 2 large lavenders.I have potted them up but am unsure whether I should put them outside just yet as we are having snowstorms and predicted frosts tonight.I live in Cheshire.I lost lavenders last year and don't know why! They flowered well,I pruned after flowering,they survived really well until about a month ago.Thanks very much.

[shylock73]

Google Lavender

[barb1314]

Thanks I did that before posting but couldn't find specific advice about weather and thought the gardeners on here would be able to help. Thanks though.

[Robinia]

Lavenders should be fine outdoors barb but it can depend how the plants were reared ...if they're robust plants they'll have spent time outside already but if they're very soft & flimsy they may have been in tunnels. If the pots are easily moved & you're in doubt you could always move them to a sheltered spot if severe weather is forecast.
re your old plants you might have overpruned...all lavenders need is a light trim after flowering & they do go woody after a few yrs so it's best to discard them. When these new ones are a couple of years old you could take cuttings so you've some new free plants ready for when they're past their best.

[hau kola]

Mine and my mother in laws have recently died.Im no gardener but she is and says its because of the weather.

[Bromsgrove]

Hello! If the plants aren't too heavy I would put them outdoors during the day and bring them in at night until the weather warms. I wonder if you cut your old plants back too far---- lavenders should not be cut back into old wood. I live further north than you do and leave my lavender pruning until spring. Hope this is of help.

[barb1314]

Thanks so much Robinia for your great advice.I've been putting them out during the day and popping them back in at night just until frost threat is over so Bromsgrove thanks.And Hau Kola I though they may have died through all the rain.I guess they are from the Med and,like me,don't like all that wet stuff! Cheers for all your help.