Photo: User:Tigerente, CC BY 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Rough hawkbit: when and how to prune
Leontodon hispidus
Rough hawkbit is best pruned in July and September.
| Pruning months | July and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Rough hawkbit: when to prune it?
Mow in mid-July and again in September; not in between.
Rough hawkbit: how to prune it?
- Cut with a scythe, brushcutter or reciprocating mower at 5–10 cm; the flat rosette is spared.
- Let the hay dry for two or three days so the seed drops, then rake it off.
- Leave an uncut strip at each mowing as a refuge for insects and cut it the next time.
- In a flowering lawn: mow no more than every three to four weeks and set the mower high.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: July and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Don’t leave the cuttings lying: a thatch of dead grass smothers the rosettes and enriches the soil.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Rough hawkbit · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.