Photo: Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Water or marginal plant
Yellow flag: when and how to prune
Iris pseudacorus
Yellow flag is best pruned in July and November.
| Pruning months | July and November |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–June |
| 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 |
Yellow flag: when to prune it?
In July, after flowering, cut off the flower stems. In November, remove the dead foliage.
Yellow flag: how to prune it?
- Cut faded flower stems off just above the leaves, before the seed pods ripen.
- You can leave a few seed pods for winter interest, but it will then self-seed.
- In November, cut the brown leaves back to 10–15 cm, above the waterline.
- Take dead foliage out of the water so it does not rot.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: July and November. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Yellow flag flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves: the sap can irritate the skin. Yellow flag is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Yellow flag · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.