Photo: Heinz Staudacher, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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Pruning guide · Perennial
Alpine sea holly: when and how to prune
Eryngium alpinum
Alpine sea holly is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Alpine sea holly: when to prune it?
Leave the spent stems standing all winter and cut them down in March, before the new leaves emerge.
What else to prune in those months? March
Alpine sea holly: how to prune it?
- In March, cut the dead stems down to just above the new rosette of leaves.
- For the vase or for drying, cut flowers with a long stem in July–August.
- Wear sturdy gloves: the stem leaves have spiny edges.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Alpine sea holly flowers in July–August, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Alpine sea holly · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.