The Montbretie is an easy-care, conditionally hardy garden beauty that enriches every perennial border with its exotic-looking flowers. In addition to the right location, the cut is important so that the plant produces many flowers every year and stays healthy.
After flowering, the Montbretia can be cut
After flowering
When the arching, overhanging umbels of flowers have faded, they are cut out of the clumps. Always use very sharp and clean cutting tools for this care measure so that no pathogens can penetrate the tuber through the small injury.
If you want to get seeds, the flower stalks are only separated when they are fully mature. Unfortunately, with the cultivars that bloom into October in our latitudes, there is often not enough time before the onset of winter to harvest germinable seeds. In the case of the early-flowering varieties, on the other hand, breeding from self-seeds is definitely worthwhile.
Leave foliage
Refrain from removing the Montbretie's foliage during the summer months. It provides the small tubers with important nutrients for the coming growth period.
When is the foliage cut back?
In mild regions, the Montbretie may overwinter in the bed. In this case, the yellowed foliage serves as a natural protection against the cold and should not be cut back. Spread out the winter protection
- Scroll
- compost
- bark mulch
a few centimeters thick over the foliage of the Montbretia and secure it with some twigs.
Montbretia that overwinter in the house must be cut back. In this case, shorten the foliage to about ten centimeters and carefully dig up the stolons. Leave as much soil as possible on the nodules and store them in a small box in a dark and cool place.
tips
Montbretia keep very well in the vase. However, do not cut the flower stalks until the lower flowers have already opened.