Photo: Joaquim Alves Gaspar, CC BY 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Annual
Cape daisy: when and how to prune
Dimorphotheca ecklonis
Cape daisy is best pruned in March and July.
| Pruning months | March and July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Cape daisy: when to prune it?
No real pruning: deadhead throughout the flowering season and give a light trim in July if the plant gets untidy. Shorten overwintered plants a little in March.
Cape daisy: how to prune it?
- Cut off spent flowers with their stalk, just above a leaf.
- In July, cut long, bare stems back by a third; the plant regrows and flowers in late summer.
- Pinch out the tips of young plants once for a bushier plant.
- On overwintered plants, remove dead and weak shoots in March and shorten the rest by a third.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Cape daisy flowers in May–October, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Cape daisy · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.