Barrenwort in February: monthly care

Barrenwort requires very little pruning, but an annual tidy-up in late winter significantly improves its appearance and flowering performance. The plant is technically evergreen, but the old foliage becomes tatty, bronzed, and tired-looking by February. More importantly, if left in place, the old leaves obscure the delicate red and yellow spring flowers that emerge on short stems close to the ground. Cut back all the previous year's foliage in February or early March, before the new flower buds begin to open. Use sharp secateurs or garden shears and trim the entire clump down to within a few centimetres of the ground. Work carefully to avoid damaging the emerging flower stems, which will already be forming at the base. This one decisive cut removes all the old leaves in one go and creates a clean backdrop for the flowers to shine through. Rake away the cut foliage and add it to your compost heap. Once flowering finishes in late spring, there's no need for further pruning. The fresh new leaves will unfurl naturally and remain attractive throughout summer and into winter. Deadheading is unnecessary—barrenwort sets very little viable seed in garden conditions, and removing spent flowers makes no difference to plant health or vigour. If individual leaves become damaged or diseased during the growing season, simply snip them off at the base, but wholesale cutting back should be reserved for late winter only.