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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Bird’s-foot: when and how to prune
Ornithopus perpusillus
Bird’s-foot is best pruned in September.
| Pruning months | September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Bird’s-foot: when to prune it?
No pruning is needed. Only mow the thin grassland it grows in from September, when the pods are ripe.
What else to prune in those months? September
Bird’s-foot: how to prune it?
- Skip a few mowings in May–July or mow high, so that it can flower and set seed.
- Mow short in September and remove the cuttings: this keeps the soil poor.
- Leave the cuttings on the spot for a few days first, so that the last seeds drop out.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Bird’s-foot · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.