Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis): when and how to prune
Rudbeckia occidentalis
Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis): when to prune it?
In February–March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis): how to prune it?
- Cut last year’s dead stems down to just above the ground.
- Cut flowers for the vase regularly during flowering: this encourages new flower stems.
- If you do not want seedlings, cut the seedheads off in autumn.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees.
- 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
- Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
- Cutleaf coneflower
- Giant coneflower
- Sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)
Plant profile: Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.