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Pruning guide · Herb
Common vervain: when and how to prune
Verbena officinalis
Common vervain is best pruned in March and September.
| Pruning months | March and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Common vervain: when to prune it?
In March, cut away the old stems; in September, cut off faded spikes if you want to limit self-seeding.
Common vervain: how to prune it?
- Leave the dry stems and seeds standing in winter: they look good and feed birds.
- In late February–March, cut all stems back to just above the ground.
- If you do not want self-seeding, cut off the faded spikes in September before the seeds ripen.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Common vervain flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- 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
Plant profile: Common vervain · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.