Well, if you trim them to the base, they'll be gone for sure.

But from what you wrote, their futures don't look good. You may have a grand opportunity to go shopping.

Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is not as hardy as the English or hybrid lavenders (nor tends to be as long-lived) and I generally rate it as borderline hardy in zone 8. And a good cold snap - like the one we had here right around Thanksgiving - can often do it in. If drainage is really good, you might find it relatively root hardy so you could try cutting it back but wait to see if any new growth appears in spring first and then don't cut below this growth.

The good news is that lavenders are pretty inexpensive and grow quickly, so easy to replace. Like jean says, a good excuse to go shopping!!

Yes, tender types like these have been getting zapped recently. The rest of the time there is scattered mortality in this region due to fungus problems and planting in unsuitable soils. To avoid these choose selections mentioned as being fungus resistant and plant them in favorable desert-like locations, such as fully exposed mounds of sandy soil.

Ellen, I usually have 5-7 Spanish lavenders (in Portland), and in my experience, it's too soon to tell if they are dead or not for a long while yet.

Also, I don't trim mine down until very late March or (preferably) April. Mine look horrifying gray right now, but I really think they are still alive.

Hope that helps.

I've never had any of the Spanish lavenders live long. I have an old English one though that is about twelve and going strong.

As mentioned, you must avoid cutting into old wood if you want good re-sprouting. As with heather, you need to keep the pruning back as close to the surface of the shrub as will do the job. Plants that still look bad after light trimming should be replaced.

Such limitations are a reason to buy and plant cheaper 4" pot sized stock.