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Pruning guide · Perennial
Italian bugloss: when and how to prune
Anchusa azurea
Italian bugloss is best pruned in July.
| Pruning months | July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Italian bugloss: when to prune it?
After flowering, in July, cut back all the flower stems. This is the most important cut of the year.
What else to prune in those months? July
Italian bugloss: how to prune it?
- Cut the flower stems back to just above the leaf rosette at the base.
- If you snip off faded tips during flowering, it sometimes flowers a little longer.
- If you let seed ripen, it self-seeds here and there, but the plant wears itself out more.
- Wear gloves because of the prickly hairs.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Italian bugloss flowers in May–July, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
Caution: If you leave the stems after flowering, the plant exhausts itself and often disappears after one or two years.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Italian bugloss · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.