The non-toxic finger or five-finger bush is considered very easy to care for and does not necessarily have to be pruned regularly. Nevertheless, it is worth reaching for secateurs or a knife with this plant, and it is sometimes even necessary.

Regular pruning promotes healthy and even growth of the cinquefoil

Should I also prune a cinquefoil for ground cover?

If you have planted a cinquefoil as ground cover, then you want to be sure that the plant will spread widely. At first glance, a pruning seems to be counterproductive. But appearances are deceptive, because by cutting you stimulate the cinquefoil to increased and dense growth. In this way you improve the look and at the same time ensure a more lush flowering.

When should I prune my cinquefoil?

In some situations, pruning your cinquefoil is practically unavoidable if you want the shrub to remain healthy and in good shape. A slight pruning in late summer or autumn is mainly used for shaping. In the case of a hedge of cinquefoils, an (additional) cut in the spring may make sense.

You can cut off diseased or dried shoots at any time, as close to the base as possible. This is usually the first step in the annual pruning. If there is an infestation with pests, you should react promptly. If you wait too long, your cinquefoil might be beyond saving. Therefore, do not cut too hesitantly but right into the healthy wood.

If your cinquefoil becomes a bit lazy as it ages, even though you prune it every year, then it's time for a rejuvenation pruning. The same is also true if your cinquefoil becomes a little bare. This usually happens at the bottom.

Reasons for pruning the finger bush:

  • aging or balding of the shrub
  • Creating and/or maintaining form
  • stimulate growth
  • Shrub becomes lazy
  • pest infestation

Can I radically cut back the cinquefoil?

The cinquefoil tolerates a radical cut. In order to prevent the bush from becoming bare or aging, such a cut is also necessary from time to time, a regular shape cut is usually not sufficient for this. So every two to three years you should grab your knife with more courage. The best time for this is early spring.

Can I also take cuttings from the cinquefoil?

The cinquefoil is very suitable for propagation by cuttings. To do this, cut off shoots about 15 to 20 centimeters long in late autumn or winter, which you can grow in the house until spring.

The essentials in brief:

  • best time for pruning: autumn or early spring
  • Don't do radical pruning often, at most every 2 to 3 years
  • Always remove dead or injured shoots promptly

tips

The cinquefoil flowers mainly on the young shoots. Regular pruning is therefore advisable for lush flowering.

Category:

Herbs