Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Trifid bur-marigold: when and how to prune
Bidens tripartita
Trifid bur-marigold is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–October |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Trifid bur-marigold: when to prune it?
Not really needed: it is an annual. Clear the dead stems in March.
What else to prune in those months? March
Trifid bur-marigold: how to prune it?
- After flowering, leave the plants until the seed is ripe and has fallen.
- Leave the dead stems standing over winter for birds and insects.
- Clear them in March, so the mud is bare and open again for new seedlings.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves and old clothes if you work among ripe plants in autumn: the seeds hook into everything.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Trifid bur-marigold · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.