Cultivation

Herbs with maintenance notes on trimming

angelica

Angelica

deadhead flowers before seed develops to extend the plant's life.

bay

Bay

Trim to maintain shape.

borage

Borage

deadhead flowers if necessary to prolong the flowering period.

calendula

Calendula

deadhead flowers to prolong flowering and regulate self-seeding.

catnip

Catnip

Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain shape.

chives

Chives

Trim after flowering to promote new growth.

curry plant

Curry Plant

Cut back to promote growth in spring.

elecampane

Elecampane

Trim to keep the plant tidy.

evening primrose

Evening Primrose

deadhead flowers to prevent excessive self-seeding.

fennel

Fennel

If not saving for seeds, deadhead flowers to get better leaf production.

feverfew

Feverfew

deadhead flowers to regulate self-seeding.

garlic

Garlic

Remove flowers to enhance the bulb's flavour.

geranium

Geranium

Cut back before bringing indoors for winter.

honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

Prune in spring, and cut back after flowering.

hops

Hops

Cut back during the dormant period.

horehound

Horehound

Cut back after flowering.

horsetail

Horsetail

Trim to keep spores from spreading in summer and autumn. Cut back to ground after harvest.

hyssop

Hyssop

deadhead flowers to prolong flowering.

joe pye weed

Joe Pye Weed

Cut stems in late autumn to almost ground level.

juniper

Juniper

Prune to maintain leader and shape.

lavender

Lavender

cut back and trim hedges in autumn.

lemon balm

Lemon Balm

Cut back after flowering to promote new growth of leaves.

lemon verbena

Lemon Verbena

trim unhealthy branches to stimulate growth.

licorice

Licorice

deadhead flowers to promote root growth.

lovage

Lovage

Trim to encourage new growth.

marigold

Marigold

deadhead flowers to prolong flowering.

meadowsweet

Meadowsweet

Cut back after flowering period in summer.

mugwort

Mugwort

Cut back in spring and autumn.

myrtle

Myrtle

Trim growth to maintain shape.

oregano

Oregano

Trim after flowering period, and cut back before winter.

poppy

Poppy

deadhead flowers to prevent self-seeding and prolong flowering time.

rose

Rose

Prune lightly in early winter.

rosemary

Rosemary

Trim after flowering.

rue

Rue

Trim to maintain shape.

sage

Sage

Cut back after flowering.

salad burnet

Salad Burnet

trim regularly to stimuate new growth.

santolina

Santolina

deadhead flowers in summer and autumn.

soapwort

Soapwort

deadhead flowers to prevent self-seed and promote a second flowering period.

sorrel

Sorrel

deadhead flowers to boost leaf growth and regulate self-seeding.

southernwood

Southernwood

Cut back hard in spring after the last frost.

st. john's wort

St. John's Wort

deadhead flowers to prevent self-seeding.

summer savory

Summer Savory

Trim and pick continuously to maintain shape and prevent flowering.

sweet cicely

Sweet Cicely

Cut back after flowering.

sweet marjoram

Sweet Marjoram

Trim after flowering period, and cut back before winter.

sweet rocket

Sweet Rocket

deadhead flowers to prolong the flowering period.

thyme

Thyme

Trim lightly after flowering.

valerian

Valerian

remove flowers to promote root growth.

winter savory

Winter Savory

cut back in early spring.

wormwood

Wormwood

Cut back to 6-inch height in autumn.

yarrow

Yarrow

deadhead flowers to encourage second blooming