Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Sheep’s sorrel: when and how to prune
Rumex acetosella
Sheep’s sorrel is best pruned in September.
| Pruning months | September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Sheep’s sorrel: when to prune it?
In September, mow the thin meadow or heath edge. If you want fewer seedlings, cut off the flower stalks in summer before the seed ripens.
What else to prune in those months? September
Sheep’s sorrel: how to prune it?
- Mow and remove the cuttings so that the soil stays poor.
- If you want it to self-seed less, cut off the flower stalks before the seed is ripe.
- Leave some standing in a corner: small copper caterpillars live on the leaves and birds eat the seed.
- In the vegetable plot, weed it out rather than mowing it: mowing leaves the roots untouched.
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.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Sheep’s sorrel · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.