Here’s what i’ve learned about this lavender pruning tip , how it works for me, how you can use it, and how it can be adapted to suit your needs… · but what is the 8-8-8 rule , you may well be asking – and how can it help you maintain healthier, happier lavender shrubs and specimen plants? This is roughly after the lavender has finished flowering for the summer, explains julian palphramand, head of plants at british garden centres. · the 8-8-8 rule for lavender is a pruning technique that refers to pruning english lavender plants back to about eight inches (20cm) on the eighth day of the month (august). The idea behind the 8-8-8 rule is that on the 8th day of the 8th month of. · the 8-8-8 rule means that on the 8th august (the eighth month), you should cut the plant back by about eight inches. A tidy, rounded shape helps lavender stand up to wind, avoids splitting, and ensures light reaches every branch. · prune into a dome for even regrowth and visual harmony. Quite simply, it is a moment in the pruning calendar to pull out our snippers or shears, with a view to helping prepare our lavender plant for the slower months ahead. · at its heart, the 8-8-8 rule – or the rule of three-eighths – is a pruning maxim. One simple guideline you can use is the 8-8-8 rule , which can help ensure youre pruning properly and at the right time. · learn when to prune lavender , and follow step-by-step instructions for how to prune lavender for healthier, fuller plants.