Photo: Atilin, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Purple coneflower: when and how to prune
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Purple coneflower: when to prune it?
Late February to late March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Purple coneflower: how to prune it?
- Leave the stems and seed heads standing all winter: goldfinches eat the seeds and insects overwinter in the stems.
- In March, cut them back to just above the ground, before the new rosette starts to grow.
- Want shorter, sturdier plants? At the end of May, cut half of the stems back by a third: they will flower a little later and lower.
- Put the cut stems on a brush pile or in a quiet corner, so the insects inside can still emerge.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not cut back in autumn: you would take away the winter food and shelter of birds and insects.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Purple coneflower · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.