How to prune sanguisorba obtusa

Deadhead after flowering (mid–late summer); full cutback in late autumn or early spring. Snip spent flower stems to the basal mound. In autumn or early spring, cut all growth to 5–10 cm above ground. Stake if plants flop in fertile or shaded conditions.

Deadhead as needed; once-annual cutback. Sanguisorba obtusa (Japanese burnet) produces arching stems with fluffy pink bottlebrush flowers. Remove spent stems to tidy the plant or limit self-seeding. The arching habit is part of its charm — avoid cutting it back mid-season unless it is flopping excessively. Cut to near ground level in late autumn or early spring.

Snip spent flower stems to the basal mound. In autumn or early spring, cut all growth to 5–10 cm above ground. Stake if plants flop in fertile or shaded conditions.