Photo: Rasbak at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Spear thistle: when and how to prune
Cirsium vulgare
Spear thistle is best pruned in March and August.
| Pruning months | March and August |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Spear thistle: when to prune it?
In August cut off some of the faded heads; clear the dry stems in March.
Spear thistle: how to prune it?
- In August cut off faded heads that should not seed, before the fluff appears.
- Leave a few heads for goldfinches and other finches.
- Leave the dry stems standing over winter as shelter for insects and cut them off at ground level in March.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and August. 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: The plant dies by itself after setting seed, so there is no need to dig it out.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Spear thistle · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.