Photo: R.J. Casimir (= user Casimir), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Bog asphodel: when and how to prune
Narthecium ossifragum
Bog asphodel is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Bog asphodel: when to prune it?
In March, if you want to clear the old fruiting stems; otherwise no pruning is needed.
What else to prune in those months? March
Bog asphodel: how to prune it?
- Leave the orange fruiting stems standing over winter.
- In March cut them just above the leaf fans, before the new leaves grow.
- Only pull away dead leaves gently if they come loose by themselves.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Don’t step on the rhizomes in a bog garden or on wet heath: they are fragile.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Bog asphodel · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.