[mdjlucan]

What’s causing the lower stems to go dead looking thanks

[Yorkie]

It's what lavender often does. I find that I get that if I haven't quite got the pruning right. It's unlikely to regrow on the old wood, but will keep growing at the ends

[mdjlucan]

thanks

[mrs bouquet]

Having got one which sounds similar, can I cut it to just above the brown dead looking stems, Mrs Bouquet

[New shoot]

Having got one which sounds similar, can I cut it to just above the brown dead looking stems, Mrs Bouquet

You can but it is chancy this time of year.  The plant is likely to reshoot with soft stems that can then be hit by frost. It doesn’t leave much room for error if there is any die back.

Hard pruning on lavender is much less risky done right after flowering, as it gives the plant to grow new shoots and for them to harden up before winter comes.

[mrs bouquet]

I did cut it back after flowering down to a couple of fresh shoots.  It is now really growing quite well again, with lots of new growth.  Perhaps I had better leave well alone now.   Mrs B