Globe daisy in July: monthly care

Globularia is a low-maintenance perennial that requires minimal pruning, but a light tidy-up in July or August after flowering will keep plants compact and encourage fresh growth. Once the blue or purple flower heads have faded, use garden shears or hand pruners to trim back the spent flower stems to just above the evergreen foliage mat. This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and maintains a neat appearance through the rest of the growing season. Avoid cutting hard into old wood or removing too much of the evergreen leaf rosettes, as globularia can be slow to regenerate from severe pruning. A light shearing over the top of the plant is sufficient. If any stems have become leggy or untidy during the growing season, you can trim them back at the same time, but the naturally compact, cushion-forming habit of this plant means heavy intervention is rarely needed. In early spring, before new growth begins, check for any dead, damaged, or winter-scorched foliage and remove it carefully by hand or with small snips. This is particularly relevant after a harsh winter, though globularia is hardy to zone 4. Do not prune in autumn or late winter, as the evergreen foliage provides some protection to the crown during cold weather. The key with globularia is restraint: it evolved in rocky, mountainous habitats and naturally maintains a tidy, low profile without much help from the gardener.