Photo: Bernd Haynold, CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Large pink: when and how to prune
Dianthus superbus
Large pink is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Large pink: when to prune it?
It hardly needs pruning. In March, cut away the old, dead stems; in summer you can remove spent flowers.
What else to prune in those months? March
Large pink: how to prune it?
- Cut spent flowers or whole spent stems back to the next leaf or side bud.
- From late August, leave some of the flowers so they can set seed.
- In March, cut the dead stems back to the fresh leaves at the base.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Large pink flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Large pink · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.