Photo: Jeffdelonge, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Whorled Solomon's seal: when and how to prune
Polygonatum verticillatum
Whorled Solomon's seal is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Whorled Solomon's seal: when to prune it?
It is not pruned; cut off the dead stems in March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Whorled Solomon's seal: how to prune it?
- Cut the withered stems down close to the ground in March.
- In summer, cut off stems whose leaves have been stripped by larvae and dispose of them.
- Leave the stems alone for the rest of the year.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Whorled Solomon's seal flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- 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.
Caution: Wear gloves: the berries and the rhizome are poisonous. Wash your hands after working.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Whorled Solomon's seal · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.