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Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Wild strawberry: when and how to prune
Fragaria vesca
Wild strawberry is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | May–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Wild strawberry: when to prune it?
It does not really need pruning. In March, do cut away the old brown leaves.
What else to prune in those months? March
Wild strawberry: how to prune it?
- In March, cut dead and discoloured leaves off just above the crown, without damaging it.
- In summer, remove any runners you do not need.
- Remove rotten or nibbled fruits straight away so mould does not spread.
- Plants that look untidy after summer can be lightly tidied up.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Wild strawberry flowers in May–August, when it attracts bees.
- In June–September birds eat the fruit: leave some on the plant or on the ground.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Wild strawberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.