Photo: Wezy at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Creeping buttercup: when and how to prune
Ranunculus repens
Creeping buttercup is best pruned in July and September.
| Pruning months | July and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Creeping buttercup: when to prune it?
Mow or cut back in July and September, as for a damp hay meadow.
Creeping buttercup: how to prune it?
- Mow at 5–8 cm and rake up the cuttings: this makes the soil poorer and gives other flowers a chance.
- In a border, cut the flower stems after flowering to limit self-seeding.
- Leave part unmown until autumn as shelter for insects and frogs.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: July and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: The fresh plant is poisonous to livestock; dried in hay it is harmless. Do not give fresh cuttings to horses, cattle or rabbits.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Creeping buttercup · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.