Musk strawberry (Fragaria moschata)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Pruning guide · Fruit plant

Musk strawberry: when and how to prune

Fragaria moschata

Musk strawberry is best pruned in August.

Key facts
Pruning monthsAugust
Nesting season (15 March–15 August)Take care in August
FloweringMay–June
Good for bees, butterflies and birdsYes, for bees
Native to BelgiumNo, planted

Musk strawberry: when to prune it?

After harvest, in August: cut off old and diseased leaves.

What else to prune in those months? August

Musk strawberry: how to prune it?

  1. After harvest, cut off old, dried or diseased leaves, leaving the heart of the plant intact.
  2. Cut off runners you do not need, close to the mother plant.
  3. In spring, remove dead leaves and add compost.

How much to cut, and how often?

  • One pruning period a year: August.
  • Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

  • Pruning in August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
  • Musk strawberry flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
  • Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

  • Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
  • Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

Plant profile: Musk strawberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules

This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.

Laden…