Perennial Plant Pruning When Should I Prune My Perennials

Perennials are not demanding plants, but trimming them after flowering finishes in autumn helps improve their appearance and flowering. However, you can leave some stems over winter to provide homes and food for wildlife, and then trim back in spring.

When should perennials be cut back?

In late fall, once all of your perennials have started to turn brown and die back, it's time to prune some and leave some to cut back in spring.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

Should perennials be cut back after flowering?

No. Although it's recommended to leave them in place until spring, perennials will usually survive if cut back. ... Some perennials, like mums, always winter best with tops left in place. When leaving perennial tops intact during winter, cut them back in spring before new growth emerges from ground level.

When should you cut back plants for winter?

Method for Autumn Pruning

Cutting plants before they go dormant encourages them to put out new growth, which is then killed by winter colds. In warm climates, cut back plants whenever you like to keep the garden neat. Regardless of where you live, cut plants to 3 inches above the ground.

How do you winterize perennials?

The basics of putting the perennial garden to bed:

Do not fertilize. ...
Keep removing spent flowers and dead and dying foliage.
Keep the base of plants free of dead leaves and debris particularly before frost.
Keep watering until the ground freezes. ...
Apply a layer of mulch or mulched leaves in late fall.

How do you prepare perennials for winter?

Cut back dry stems of perennials to soil level after frost to neaten the garden and remove pest eggs and disease spores that may linger. Leave stems with attractive seed heads for winter interest. Compost dead plant debris to create an organic soil conditioner.

Should hydrangeas be cut back in the fall?

It is easy to grow these hydrangeas because they bloom every year regardless of how they are cared for or treated. They can be pruned to the ground in the fall and they will emerge in the spring with bountiful blooms. ... Trim out dead and crossing stems and prune to shape the plant.

What plants should be cut back in autumn?

Fruit bushes such as currants and gooseberries will benefit from thinning out, while perennials that lack decorative seed heads should be cut back to the ground. Autumn is also the time to prune tender plants such as lavender and rosemary, which won't withstand pruning in winter.

Should lavender be cut back in the fall?

Pruning lavender in late summer to fall helps open the plant's interior to allow good air circulation and also removes some of the branches, which can ultimately help prevent winter damage. Ideally, pruning lavender in spring and fall is a great idea, if you can squeeze that into your garden chore schedule.

How do you prune perennials?

All perennials fit into at least one of these categories, some into more than one.

Cut the flower stalks to the base, deep within the crown. ...
Two step cutting back process. ...
Continuously cut back the dead flowers to the next set of flower buds on the flower stalk or shrub; feed in midsummer to stimulate continued bloom.

How do you deadhead perennials?

Deadheading flowers is very simple. As plants fade out of bloom, pinch or cut off the flower stem below the spent flower and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves. Repeat with all the dead flowers on the plant. Sometimes it may be easier to deadhead plants by shearing them back entirely.

Should I cover my perennials?

For new spring plantings, it's not a bad idea to let new perennials out in increasing light and exposure for about a week before you plant them. If a sudden cold snap shows up in the forecast after you've planted, you can always cover them overnight to be on the safe side.

Should you cut back geraniums for winter?

Prune geraniums in preparation for winter.

After the growing season is finished, pruning back the geraniums will help them stay healthy and dormant during the colder months. Wait until the flowers have died and the geranium has gotten a little leggy, in late summer or early to mid-fall.

What month should you trim bushes?

The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April). Heavy pruning in late winter or early spring will reduce or eliminate the flower display for 2 or 3 years. However, rejuvenation pruning will restore the health of the shrubs.

Do I cut back hydrangeas for winter?

Some hydrangeas bloom on new growth and should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before the shrub begins active growth. ... The Limelight hydrangea blooms on new growth, so it should be pruned in late winter, before new growth begins.

How cold is too cold for perennials?

Some hardy plants may not be damaged. A "hard frost" or "killing frost" comes when the temperature drops further, below 28 degrees, for a longer time. It will kill the top growth of most perennials and root crops.

How do you maintain perennials?

Perennial gardens require less maintenance than lawns, but they do need regular care to look their best and stay healthy.
...

Step 1: Remove spent flowers. ...
Step 2: Inspect for pests and problems. ...
Step 3: Water. ...
Step 4: Pull weeds. ...
Step 5: Edge the beds. ...
Step 6: Fertilize and mulch. ...
Step 7: Seasonal clean-up.

How do you mulch perennials for winter?

When applying mulch, always leave a 1 to 2 inch mulch-free zone around plants. Mulch 3 to 4 inches away from the base of shrubs, and 6 to 12 inches out from the base of trees. The amount of mulch to apply depends on the type of mulch used as well as your growing conditions.

Can I cut back perennials in winter?

No. Although it's recommended to leave them in place until spring, perennials will usually survive if cut back. ... When leaving perennial tops intact during winter, cut them back in spring before new growth emerges from ground level.

How do you prepare a wildflower for winter?

Consider leaving a small patch of wildflowers unmowed, or better yet, leave the mowed stems and seed heads in place throughout the winter, then rake them up in spring. Birds will be happy to gather seeds from the mowed plants. If you mow in fall, be sure the plants have finished blooming and have gone to seed.

Can you leave perennials in pots over winter?

You can overwinter them by moving the pots into a cold frame or unheated garage for the winter after the first hard frost. Since all perennials require a period of dormancy or a cold treatment to bloom, don't overwinter them in a greenhouse or other warm place where they will not go dormant.