Content
- Cutting the silver herb - really necessary?
- Stimulate post-bloom - cut away old flowers
- Two ways to extend the flowering period
- Prevent self-sowing - or allow?
- Acquaintance with the scissors - no compulsion
- Further important information for cutting
- Tips
Scarlet of silverwort can be cut back to encourage a second bloom
Cutting the silver herb - really necessary?
In its homeland, the Mediterranean regions, the silver herb is not uncommon. Whether on roadsides, between rocks or in rockeries - this plant looks tender and lush at the same time. What should be considered when cutting?
Stimulate post-bloom - cut away old flowers
The main reason why many gardeners cut their silverwort is to extend the flowering period. Normally the silver herb would bloom only from June to July. With a gimmick but you can relocate the flowering into autumn.
Two ways to extend the flowering period
You have two options to extend the flowering period. The first option is to wait until the majority of flowers have faded in July. Then grab the pruning shears and cut the whole plant about halfway back.
The second option is to visit and inspect the plant regularly. Each time you see withered flowers, they are cut off or the perennial is trimmed. The result is that after each cut of a flower, the plant forms a new flower bud at this point.
Prevent self-sowing - or allow?
When the flowers have withered, you have to decide: Do you want the plant to self-seed or even harvest the seeds? Who wants to prevent the propagation of the seeds, should also remove all inflorescences after the post-flowering.
If you only want to gain a few seeds, or wish that the silver herb seethes itself, it often suffices to leave a handful of withered flowers. Direct sowing takes place in April.
Acquaintance with the scissors - no compulsion
Basically, it is not necessary to cut the badly hardy silverwort at all. It can also thrive without a pruning. But it gets more splendid when it regularly gets acquainted with the scissors.
Further important information for cutting
Here are some tips for cutting:
Tips
Diseased shoots and leaves should be cut off. However, the clippings are not disposed of on the compost but in the household waste.