Pruning guide
How to prune red larkspur
More red larkspur care
Pruning red larkspur — FAQ
When should I prune red larkspur?
Deadhead after blooms fade in late spring to early summer; cut back in summer after flowering ends. Remove spent flower spikes to lateral shoots or the base to encourage additional blooms. Allow a proportion of seed heads to ripen and scatter if you want natural self-sowing to maintain the planting.
How often does red larkspur need pruning?
As needed through the blooming period; once annually after flowering. Red larkspur is a short-lived western North American native that benefits from deadheading to prolong blooming and limit self-seeding. Allow some seed heads to mature if you want it to naturalise in the garden. Cut back spent growth after blooming finishes. In mild climates it may behave as a short-lived perennial.
How do you prune red larkspur?
Remove spent flower spikes to lateral shoots or the base to encourage additional blooms. Allow a proportion of seed heads to ripen and scatter if you want natural self-sowing to maintain the planting.