The sun bride, also known as Helenium, is richly decorated with its flower suns. However, if you neglect cutting, you have to expect a shortened flowering period - even in a sunny location. But there are also other reasons why cutting makes sense.
How should you cut the sun bride?
To extend the flowering period of the sun bride, withered flowers should be cut off regularly. The stems should ideally be pruned in spring. Shoots in the bud can be trimmed and excess shoots removed. Clippings can be used for propagation.
Cut to extend flowering period
The flowering period of the sun bride can last from July to September. Ostensibly, gardeners use scissors to prolong the flowering period. Wilted flowers should be cut off regularly. The first wilted specimens are usually seen at the end of July. If they are removed, new flower buds will quickly form.
Cut to maintain a neat appearance
A cut is also necessary to keep the sun bride visually appealing. Over time, their growth becomes sprawling and cluttered. Therefore, it is important to care for it properly:
- Pick shoots in bud (maximum 2 times)
- remove excess shoots
- cut away old leaves
- cut away old inflorescences if you want to prevent seed formation
Off to the new season – cut back first
A radical pruning should be carried out at the end of the old season or at the beginning of the new season. Those who are impatient can cut back Helenium in the fall. But it is better to prune in spring between the end of February and the beginning of March. All stems are cut back to just above the ground.
Use clippings – for the vase and for propagation
The clippings that result from cutting the sun bride do not always have to end up in the compost. You can use the freshly bloomed flowers as cut flowers for the vase. Cut the stems early in the morning. The flowers last about 1 week in the vase.
In addition, you can leave the last flowers in late summer to collect seeds later. As soon as the fruit stalks are ripe, you can cut them off. At home you can dry them and pick out the seeds.
Basic shoots that result from radical pruning can be used for propagation from cuttings. The cuttings are later planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other and watered well.
Tip
After cutting in spring, you can divide and transplant the sun bride if desired (recommended every 3 years).
