Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 06:14, 4 October 2006 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Sheep’s-bit: when and how to prune
Jasione montana
Sheep’s-bit is best pruned in September.
| Pruning months | September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Sheep’s-bit: when to prune it?
In September, when the heads have finished flowering and the seeds are ripe.
What else to prune in those months? September
Sheep’s-bit: how to prune it?
- Leave the flowering stems after flowering until the heads are brown and dry.
- Shake or tap the ripe heads over bare ground before mowing.
- Then mow or cut short and remove the cuttings.
- Spare the green rosettes of young plants: they will flower next year.
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.
Caution: Do not mow in June or July: you would lose flowers and seed, and this short-lived plant would soon disappear.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Sheep’s-bit · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.