Photo: Bernd Haynold, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Grass-of-Parnassus: when and how to prune
Parnassia palustris
Grass-of-Parnassus is best pruned in October.
| Pruning months | October |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Grass-of-Parnassus: when to prune it?
No pruning, just mowing: once a year in October, after the seeds have ripened.
What else to prune in those months? October
Grass-of-Parnassus: how to prune it?
- Leave the spent stems until the capsules turn brown and split open.
- Mow short in October and remove the cuttings, so the soil stays poor.
- In a larger garden, leave a strip unmown until spring as shelter for overwintering insects.
- Now and then scratch open a small patch of bare soil, so the seeds can germinate.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: October.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not mow from July to September: that is when it flowers and the seed ripens.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Grass-of-Parnassus · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.