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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Hound’s-tongue: when and how to prune
Cynoglossum officinale
Hound’s-tongue is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–July |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Hound’s-tongue: when to prune it?
In July–August, after flowering, if you do not want seed.
Hound’s-tongue: how to prune it?
- Cut off spent stems before the hooked nutlets ripen and turn brown.
- If you want it to self-seed, leave one or two stems in a spot where nobody walks.
- Put stems with ripe nutlets in the general waste bin, not on the compost heap, and never near a pasture.
- Leave first-year rosettes alone: they will flower next year.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves: the plant is poisonous and the hooked nutlets cling to clothing and gloves.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Hound’s-tongue · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.