- Remove old inflorescences
- Cut away old foliage
- More reasons to grab the scissors
- Which pruning tool is suitable for the elf flower?
Cutting the elf flower is not absolutely necessary. But if you want to keep your elfin flower vigorous, floriferous and youthful in appearance for many years, you should make pruning an important aspect of care.
Fading should always be cut off
Remove old inflorescences
In order not to waste too much energy, the old inflorescences should be cut off immediately after they have faded. This prevents the fruit from forming with the seeds. The formation of the fruit not only costs other plants a lot of energy, but also an elf flower, regardless of the variety.
Cut away old foliage
There are many evergreen varieties. During winter and early spring, their foliage becomes unsightly. If it falls off, it temporarily serves as good frost protection in the root area. But rot can develop quickly. It is better if you cut away the old foliage. The sprouting of new leaves is initiated in the spring.
More reasons to grab the scissors
Elf flowers can grow boisterously in perfect locations. In order to avoid overgrowth, a radical pruning can sometimes be necessary. This plant tolerates it without any problems.
The plant is fundamentally tough. Nevertheless, you should not use scissors in summer, but rather during the rest period. Here are more reasons to cut:
- to get in shape
- keep growth low
- Remove sick, old, weak shoots
- remove parts damaged by frost
- propagate by rhizome cuttings (in spring or autumn)
Which pruning tool is suitable for the elf flower?
Many conventional pruning tools are suitable for this groundcover. If you have planted a small area with the elf flower, garden shears are sufficient to shorten the shoots. If this ground cover has taken up a large area, it is advisable to use a hedge trimmer (€24.99) or to stop the population with a lawn mower. Don't worry: the elf flower is robust and will sprout again!
tips
After pruning the elf flower, and especially after a radical pruning, it is good if you provide the plant with compost. This organic fertilizer causes rapid new growth.