Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Grass-like plant
Compact rush: when and how to prune
Juncus conglomeratus
Compact rush is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–July |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Compact rush: when to prune it?
In March, before the new stems appear. Not needed every year.
What else to prune in those months? March
Compact rush: how to prune it?
- Leave the tussock standing all winter: insects and spiders overwinter between the stems.
- In March, pull out or cut the brown, dead stems; leave the green ones.
- If the tussock is old and untidy, cut it right back to 10 cm above the ground in March; it soon regrows.
- In a wet hay meadow it can simply be mown with the rest in late summer.
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.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Compact rush · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.