Are these lavender too old to keep?

Hello all! I'm new here and I'm a total beginner in gardening.

We recently moved to a house with a mature garden. It was landscaped almost 10 years ago, but the previous owner wasn't really maintaining it. I found these lavender bushes by the path to the front door (full sun from 10am). They flowered in June but are looking quite weak and woody . The flowers were light purple and only had a faint fragrance.

Do you think I can keep them or better replace them with new ones? Should I trim them now or in spring?






Many thanks!

 

Why spend money on "new" ones? You can take some cuttings now - called Soft Wood cuttings and make as many new plants as you would like

You can cut it back hard around September time (or, in the Spring).

 

Last picture looks do-able to me, the first two I'd get shot of, they are straggly and pretty much not enjoying life.
I think you prune lavender directly after flowering.

 

springreen, start again!
You said they only had a "faint fragrance" so get better. My own lavendar hedge is superbly scented so why settle for less?
Your bushes look way past their best too.
You can buy cheap lavendar plants or buy just a couple and take cuttings from them

 

Thank you all for your replies! I will try pruning the strongest bush in September. The rest I shall pull out.

I'm not sure which variety they are. If the flowers next year are not nicely scented, I will buy some that I like.

Thanks again!

 

Hi Springreen, I am interested in your thread as I also have some lavender which is looking past its best. Mine, however, has gone woody rather than straggly. Good luck with your cuttings

@Verdun: your lavender hedge sounds delightful. I love lavender and would like to create something like that in my front garden, which gets sun most of the day. Do you think I could take cuttings from my woody lavenders? I don't know what variety they are.

 

Irmemac, if you have some young healthy material ....and you are happy with the type/scent you have....then yes, cuttings now; asap for plenty of time for them to grow.
My own lavendar hedge......50'...partly edges veg patch and is a delight visually and scent wise. Nothing quite like lavendar

 

Your hedge sounds wonderful. The scent on a hot summer day must be spectacular, to say nothing of the beautiful combination of purple, green and silver colours. My lavenders are both at least five years old, and neither looks particularly young or fresh. Might need to invest in some newer models...! Thank you for advice

 

Some cracking varieties around now Irmemac but sniff a couple to see what you like.
My own have been flowering for several weeks and will be hard pruned soon to make a tight dense and neat silver/green aromatic hedge.
Five years old isn't too old if hard pruned annually......I kept a lavendar hedge youthful and attractive for more than 15 years this way.