Photo: Bernd Haynold, CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Orpine: when and how to prune
Hylotelephium telephium
Orpine is best pruned in March and May.
| Pruning months | March and May |
|---|---|
| Flowering | August–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Orpine: when to prune it?
Cut off the old flower stems in March, and cut back the new stems at the end of May for a more compact plant.
Orpine: how to prune it?
- In March, cut last year’s dry stems off just above the new shoots at the base. Take care not to damage those shoots.
- At the end of May, cut the stems back by half: the plant stays lower, stands more firmly and flowers a little later with more, smaller heads.
- To spread the flowering, cut back only half of the stems.
- After flowering there is nothing to do: leave the flower heads.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and May. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Orpine flowers in August–October, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not cut the old stems down in autumn: they protect the new shoots and are a winter feature.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.