Photo: Michael Apel, CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Yellow loosestrife: when and how to prune
Lysimachia vulgaris
Yellow loosestrife is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Yellow loosestrife: when to prune it?
Cut the dead stems down in March, just before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Yellow loosestrife: how to prune it?
- Cut all old stems down to just above the ground.
- Leave the stems until then: insects shelter in them over winter.
- Faded flower sprays can stay; there is no need to cut them off.
- While tidying, chop off any runners that have spread too far.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Yellow loosestrife flowers in June–August, when it attracts bees.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not leave pieces of rootstock lying around: every piece can grow into a new plant.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Yellow loosestrife · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.