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Pruning guide · Perennial
Cutleaf coneflower: when and how to prune
Rudbeckia laciniata
Cutleaf coneflower is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Cutleaf coneflower: when to prune it?
In February–March, before the new shoots appear. In summer you only remove faded flowers.
Cutleaf coneflower: how to prune it?
- Cut last year’s dead stems down to just above the ground.
- Cut faded flowers back to a side shoot: this prolongs flowering.
- If you do not want seedlings, cut the seedheads off in autumn rather than in February.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Cutleaf coneflower flowers in July–October, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in February–March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not dump severed rhizomes or prunings on a verge or in woodland: pieces of rhizome can root there again.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
- Giant coneflower
- Sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)
- Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)
Plant profile: Cutleaf coneflower · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.