Bladder campion: when and how to prune

Silene vulgaris

Bladder campion is best pruned in March and July.

Updated on 10 October 2026

Key facts
Pruning months	March and July
Flowering	May–September
Good for bees, butterflies and birds	Yes, for bees and butterflies
Native to Belgium	Yes

Bladder campion: when to prune it?

In March cut back the old stems, and if you like, at the end of July after the first flowering, cut them back by half.

What else to prune in those months? March · July

In March cut all old, dead stems down to just above the ground.
After the first flowering cut spent stems back by half; a second flush often follows.
Leave a few seed heads in late summer if you want the plant to self-sow.

There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.

Bladder campion flowers in May–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.

This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.