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Pruning guide · Perennial
Wood cranesbill: when and how to prune
Geranium sylvaticum
Wood cranesbill is best pruned in March and July.
| Pruning months | March and July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Wood cranesbill: when to prune it?
After flowering, in July, cut the clump back. In March, remove the old, dead leaves.
Wood cranesbill: how to prune it?
- Cut the spent stems and old leaves back to just above the young leaves at the base.
- If you want seedlings, leave a few flower stems until the seeds have been flung out.
- Water after cutting back: a new, fresh clump of leaves soon appears.
- In March, clear the dead leaves before the new shoots emerge.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Wood cranesbill flowers in May–July, when it attracts bees.
- 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.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Armenian cranesbill
- Bigroot cranesbill
- Bloody cranesbill
- Cambridge cranesbill (Geranium × cantabrigiense)
- Druce’s cranesbill (Geranium × oxonianum)
- Dusky cranesbill
Plant profile: Wood cranesbill · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.