Photo: Rasbak at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Greater burdock: when and how to prune
Arctium lappa
Greater burdock is best pruned in March and September.
| Pruning months | March and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Greater burdock: when to prune it?
In September, cut off the burs if you do not want them; in March, remove the dead stems.
Greater burdock: how to prune it?
- Cut off faded heads before they turn brown and clingy if you want neither seedlings nor burs in your dog’s coat.
- Leave a few stems with burs for the birds.
- In March, cut the dead stems off at the base.
- Do not remove the large first-year leaves: the rosette needs them to flower the following year.
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?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves and old clothes: the burs hook into everything.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Greater burdock · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.