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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Common figwort: when and how to prune
Scrophularia nodosa
Common figwort is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Common figwort: when to prune it?
In March, just before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Common figwort: how to prune it?
- Leave the faded stems standing in autumn: they shelter insects over winter.
- In March, cut the old stems down to just above the ground.
- For fewer seedlings, cut off some of the flower stems after flowering, before the capsules split.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- 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.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Common figwort · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.