Cinquefoil – this perennial doesn’t need much care. But while watering and fertilizing take a back seat, cutting is important. How to do it correctly?
When and how should you cut cinquefoil?
Cutting cinquefoil is important after flowering in order to remove dead flowers, encourage re-blooming and keep the plant in shape. A radical pruning in spring is tolerated well and leads to strong new growth.
Prune after flowering
When we talk about cinquefoil, a ground cover that looks like a carpet and that stands out in summer with its bright yellow flowers appears in the mind's eye. To ensure that it stays that way for a long time, you should regularly remove the old flowers. Otherwise, the cinquefoil produces its fruits and seeds - and that takes a lot of energy.
Depending on the type and variety, cinquefoil blooms from May/June and until September. Once a week, grab the scissors and cut away any dead flowers. This not only protects the plant's strength, but also looks better.
Cutting off the old flowers can have the wonderful side effect of triggering re-blooming. In addition, cutting at this time can be combined with shaping the plant if it has gotten out of hand.
Can a radical cut be tolerated?
Since this is a perennial, it can handle radical pruning. You can cut this perennial down to just above the ground without any worries. This encourages them to re-sprout vigorously. Ideally, you should carry out this cut in the spring shortly before budding.
The shrub cinquefoil can also tolerate a radical cut
The so-called shrub cinquefoil can also be cut radically. As a result, it grows denser and produces more and larger flowers. However, it is sufficient to shorten it by half.
Still worth considering when cutting
Here are further tips that may be useful to you:
- conventional secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon) are enough
- do not cut in dry times
- cut under cloudy sky
- use semi-fresh or woody shoots – if desired – for propagation
- Usually no radical cutting helps to combat this, only additional digging out of the roots
Tip
You do not need to wear protective gloves when cutting cinquefoil. It is not poisonous.
