When to prune nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' in the UK

Prune nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' in early to mid spring. For shrubs that flower on the current season's growth, the RHS times pruning to early or mid spring — after severe weather has passed and once the growth buds begin to swell. In Britain that is usually March into April rather than the February common in warmer regions; prune too early and the new shoots meet a late frost.

There is no nesting-bird restriction that realistically applies to nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron', since birds do not nest in it. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 still protects any active nest you do find anywhere in the garden — the rule is about the nest, not the plant.

After the main flush fades, cut stems back by about half to a set of healthy leaves or lateral shoot to prompt fresh growth and repeat flowering. In early spring, cut all old stems to 5–10 cm above ground before new shoots emerge from the base.

Twice yearly: post-flowering cut-back in summer plus early spring cut-back. Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' is a tall, upright catmint that benefits from cutting back after its first summer flush to encourage a second flowering. Shear lightly after the first flush fades. A full cut-back to near ground level in early spring keeps the plant fresh and compact.

Most pruning guides online are written for US conditions and anchored to USDA zones. Britain's maritime climate gives milder winters but later, less predictable last frosts — from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north — so the RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants: it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills. Britain also has the nesting-bird law, which has no US equivalent.