Photo: Christopher Adams, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Argentinian vervain: when and how to prune
Verbena bonariensis
Argentinian vervain is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–October |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Argentinian vervain: when to prune it?
Leave the stems standing all winter and cut them back in April, when the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? April
Argentinian vervain: how to prune it?
- Leave the stems in autumn: they protect the crown of the plant and insects shelter in them.
- In April, cut the old stems back to just above the new shoots at the base.
- Want a shorter, sturdier plant? At the end of May, cut the tips back by a third.
- In summer you can cut off a few faded clusters for new flowers, but leave enough for seed.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in April, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not cut back in autumn: a plant cut to the ground survives a cold, wet winter less well.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Argentinian vervain · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.