How to Trim Equisetum Hyemale

Equisetum hyemale is a primitive perennial forb species with a stiff upright growth habit. Like many ornamental grasses, equisetum propagates itself by underground rhizomes and does not set seed, have leaves or flower. It is considered an aquatic plant because it can live in several inches of standing water. It will, however, also thrive in moist soil that is not water logged. It is known colloquially as Scouring Rush because silicon crystals line the hollow stems, producing a grit that made the plant useful as a cleaning tool in earlier times. Equisetum hyemale is known to be very aggressive in the landscape, so pruning is often required to keep it in bounds.

Things You'll Need

Pruning shears

Sharp spade

Instructions

- 1
  Prune out any dead, broken, discolored or unsightly stems in the spring before new shoots are visible. Place cuts down to the soil line as partial stems do not look as attractive in the stand.
- 2
  Reduce the spread of the Equisetum stand, or thin the stand for aesthetic purposes, by trimming out selective stems at their base on the soil line.
- 3
  Collect up all of the horsetail cuttings from between the stems and any that fall to the soil around it. Leaving these to decay in and around the plant can look unattractive and invite pathogens to take hold.
- 4
  Maintain the plant by pruning the roots at the same time you prune the top growth. Without root pruning, the rhizome will simply throw up new top growth to replace what you've lopped off. Drive a sharp spade straight down into the rhizome and excavate all of the cut portions from the soil before discarding them.

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