In late summer and early autumn, many gardeners may have noticed their lavender plants have started to fade.

If your lavender plants have started to fade, it’s time to give them their “summer prune”.

In a video for Crocus.co.uk, plant expert Helen has shared her “golden rule” for pruning lavender plants.

She said the reason she prunes lavenders at this time of year is to keep them “fresh-looking” and stop them becoming “leggy and bare” at the base.

If lavender is not clipped back, it can start to look misshapen and spindly and will need replacing later on.

Helen suggested using secateurs to trim lavenders but if you’ve got a hedge, you can use a pair of shears.

The gardening expert then shared her “golden rule” for trimming lavender plants. She explained: “The golden rule with lavenders is, when you’re pruning them, don’t cut into old woody growth.

“So you don’t want to cut below this current season’s growth and you can see it’s a slightly different colour.

“You can cut as hardback into this new growth as you like but don’t cut below because it may not bounce back.”

Helen grabbed the top of the plants and started cutting into them. She trimmed them into a round dome shape until small mounds were formed.

Late summer and early autumn are the ideal time to prune lavender plants, however, they can also be pruned in April.

Gardeners should note that pruning lavender plants in April will delay when they flower.