Fernleaf yarrow in November: monthly care

Goudduizendblad requires minimal pruning, but a couple of seasonal cuts will keep plants tidy and encourage better performance. The main pruning window is in March or November, depending on your preference and garden style. In November, once flowering has finished and the foliage begins to die back, you can cut the whole plant down to ground level, removing all spent stems and leaves. This tidies the border for winter and reduces the risk of fungal problems in damp weather. Alternatively, leave the dried flowerheads standing through winter—they provide structure, seed for birds, and shelter for beneficial insects—then cut back hard in March just as new basal growth emerges. Use clean, sharp secateurs or hedging shears for the job. Cut stems down to within 5–10 cm of the ground, just above the fresh shoots. Remove all old growth to the compost heap (goudduizendblad is not prone to persistent disease, so composting is safe). If you prefer a longer flowering season, deadhead spent blooms during summer by cutting stems back to a side shoot or basal foliage; this can stimulate a modest second flush of flowers in late summer, though it's not essential. Goudduizendblad can become congested after three or four years, leading to weaker flowering and die-back in the centre of the clump. Every three to four years in early spring (March or April), lift and divide mature clumps, replanting vigorous outer sections and discarding the woody centre. This rejuvenates the plant and maintains flowering quality.