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Pruning guide · Perennial
Cream scabious: when and how to prune
Scabiosa ochroleuca
Cream scabious is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Cream scabious: when to prune it?
In March, before the new shoots; spent flowers throughout summer.
What else to prune in those months? March
Cream scabious: how to prune it?
- In March, cut dead stems and old foliage back to just above the rosette.
- Cut spent flower heads off above a side shoot for longer flowering.
- Leave a few heads in September for seed.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Cream scabious flowers in June–October, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not cut it back to the ground in autumn: the foliage protects the crown in wet winters.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Cream scabious · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.