With good care, the purple bell grows between 40 and 75 cm high. It presents itself from its decorative side all year round, especially with its contrasting foliage. But if you neglect cutting, you won't be able to enjoy the plant for long
When and how should you cut the purple bell?
It is best to cut the purple bells after the flowering period, usually in August, with the withered inflorescences ideally directly above the ground to promote he althy growth. In spring, around February, shorten the perennial to 10 cm above the ground to encourage bushy growth.
Cut shortly after flowering
In summer you shouldn't be afraid to use scissors. Then it's time to remove the old purple bell flowers. The flowering period of this perennial usually ends in August.
Cut to where and why?
Cut the withered flower stems just above the ground and dispose of them! If you didn't cut them off, the seeds would develop and cost the plant a lot of energy.
Stimulate bushy growth with pruning in spring
Without radical pruning, the purple bell grows rather poorly and looks desolate. A dense and ground-covering growth is something different. Therefore, it is recommended to cut this perennial back regularly every year. This means it branches better and appears bushier in its growth. But in principle, this pruning is not compulsory.
If you decide to do this, you should remember not to cut the purple bell back to less than 10 cm above the ground. The ideal time is around February before the new shoots appear. In addition to pruning, you can also remove dead, dried and damaged-looking leaves. The perennial can then be divided and fertilized if necessary.
Is the purple bell suitable as a cut flower?
Yes, the purple bell is even ideal as a cut flower! Its long flower spikes, which are composed of purple flower bells, are extremely decorative when placed in a vase. Cut them right above the ground!
Cutting cuttings – what to pay attention to
Pruning also makes sense when propagating from cuttings:
- Use head or basal cuttings
- should be 10 to 15 cm long
- put in potting soil
- keep moist
- ensure high humidity
- Rooting after 5 to 6 weeks
Tip
Use sharp secateurs when cutting (€56.00 on Amazon) and clean them beforehand! This will prevent any fungal pathogens from passing on to the plant and causing problems for it soon.