Quite probably too fertile a soil and too much moisture. They prefer low to average fertility soil, full sun and perfect drainage.

I agree with the above - soil too rich and too moisture retentive. Lavender wants a very lean soil with very fast drainage.

Thank you! Do you think it would help to prune it back and start watering it less? Not sure I can change the soil.

Where are you located? I have a hard time imagining lavender needing any water at this time of year. It doesn't even require much - if any - in summer!

Im in Sacramento, California! We worked with a landscaper earlier this year and installed a drip system for all of the plants. Right now, the lavendar (and surrounding plants) are watered once a week for 1 hour. In the spring/summer its 3 times a week/ for one hour. Do you recommend I plug the holes where the water drips out for the lavender?

I’m new to gardening and just want the lavender to thrive. thanks for all the help and advice!

Stop watering it. In fact I don't see anything in that bed that needs regular watering. You have agaves there for goodness sake. It's a xeriscape. 3 hours a week in spring? That's crazy. Just switch off the system. Observe the plants. They'll tell you if they need water.

" Do you recommend I plug the holes where the water drips out for the lavender? "

Yes. Once established, lavender is very drought tolerant and only needs very infrequent watering during extended dry periods or when it is setting flower buds. And that is typically during late spring and early summer, not in fall or winter. Every 2-3 weeks or so for an established plant - even in summer - certainly never as much as 3 times a week!!

I agree. I never give mine supplemental water and we have had extremely hot dry summers for the past 3 years. A new garden is a learning curve and you have plants that do not require much water at all as floral pointed out. If you have any plants that require more water they will let you know. Please keep us updated on progress and I hope you come back with more questions if the need arises.

Thank you both so much, I appreciate it! I will stop thr watering and keep a close eye. fingers crossed they thrive with the changes!

Also please google "pruning lavender" because it will need a haircut after blooming.

In Virginia mine blooms in June & July then I cut back 1/2 of the soft growth. California lavender culture may differ since your growing season is so much longer.

your landscaper ought to show you how to remove watering heads on plants that dont need water... its not really a 'plugging holes' thing ..

the biggest failure of automated water system.. is not all plant need the exact water ... if you added trees.. they dont need water after the year of planting.. same with shrubs... as above perennials are all over the board ..

if you continue to grow as a gardener.. i suspect you will abandon the watering system completely ...

i have to admit.. watering my garden by hand.. in the evening.. was my usual replacement for therapy... and i learned what needed more or less water by observation ...

any time a plant has an abundance of green growth.. over fert is suggested... or to good a soil.. or both of course... this part is not plant dependent ...its what we would call a PLANT CULTURE issue..

all that said.. over the years.. lavender is a plant that a vast majority of us and all out long lost friends.. gave up on... its just too persnickety ... you either succeed wildly or fail abysmally ... you are heavily on the success side.. so dont go complaining too much that its so vigorous.. it falls over... most of us dont want to hear it.. lol ...

another general rule... things are pruned after flowering... as noted above on this one..flowering shrubs are pruned after flowering... etc...

so much to learn..so little time to do it... we would like to help..

ken