Photo: Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Water or marginal plant
Lesser spearwort: when and how to prune
Ranunculus flammula
Lesser spearwort is best pruned in August and October.
| Pruning months | August and October |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Lesser spearwort: when to prune it?
It hardly needs pruning. In August you can cut off spent flower stems, and in October cut away the dead foliage.
Lesser spearwort: how to prune it?
- Cut off spent flower stems if you want to limit self-seeding; otherwise leave them.
- In October cut yellowed stems back to just above the soil or the water surface.
- Wear gloves: the sap can irritate the skin.
- Put the clippings on the compost heap, never in a field with grazing animals.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: August and October. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Lesser spearwort flowers in June–September, 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.
Caution: The fresh sap is poisonous and irritating: work with gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Lesser spearwort · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.