Photo: Jeffdelonge at French Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Sea-holly: when and how to prune
Eryngium maritimum
Sea-holly is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Sea-holly: when to prune it?
Leave the stems all winter and cut them back in March.
What else to prune in those months? March
Sea-holly: how to prune it?
- Leave the spent flower heads in autumn: they look good and the seed can ripen.
- In March, cut the dry stems off at the base before the new leaves emerge.
- To dry the flowers, cut stems in full flower and hang them upside down in a dry, airy place.
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: Wear sturdy gloves: the spines are sharp, even when the plant is dry.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.