Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Deptford pink: when and how to prune
Dianthus armeria
Deptford pink is best pruned in September.
| Pruning months | September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Deptford pink: when to prune it?
In September, once the seed has ripened and dropped.
What else to prune in those months? September
Deptford pink: how to prune it?
- Leave the flowering stems after flowering until the capsules are brown and open at the top.
- Shake the stems out or leave the cuttings on the ground for a few days so the seed falls out; then remove them.
- You can leave some of the dry stems standing all winter as shelter for small insects.
- Do not mow or cut the green rosettes of young plants: they will flower next year.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not mow in June or July: you would lose both flowers and seed, and the plant would vanish within a year or two.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Deptford pink · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.