Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 10:43, 2 March 2006 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Water or marginal plant
Spiked water-milfoil: when and how to prune
Myriophyllum spicatum
Spiked water-milfoil is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Spiked water-milfoil: when to prune it?
Thin out in July and August, when it takes up too much space.
Spiked water-milfoil: how to prune it?
- Pull or rake out part of the stems; always leave a good amount as an oxygenator.
- Cut or pull away stems that form a dense mat at the surface.
- Leave thinned stems on the bank for a day so small creatures can crawl back into the pond.
- Gather broken fragments carefully: every piece can root again.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Put thinned stems on the compost heap, never into a ditch, stream or pond in the wild.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Spiked water-milfoil · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.