Some perennials, like hostas, peonies and daylilies, need to be pruned in fall to avoid winter damage. Plants like these should be pruned after the first few frosts in late fall or early winter. Other perennials like mums and coneflowers are better off being pruned in spring just before new growth comes in.
It's common to think that everything should be chopped down to the ground in the fall, but some perennials actually need their foliage to protect new shoots through the winter. Other varieties offer up important habitat for local wildlife and some perennials provide height and interest through the winter months.
However, there are cultivated plants which are more susceptible to problems if the old foliage and dying stems are left to rot. Diseases can overwinter in dead foliage, as can slugs and other pests. Old stems can also get battered about by fall and winter winds, which will damage the plant's crown and roots.
The process of trimming back plants is the same for nearly all perennials. Begin by cutting the plant back to 3 to 5 inches above the soil line. Using a sharp pair of pruners or hedge trimmers, cut off all of the foliage and stems. Cut the plants down to within three to five inches of the soil line.
2. Perennials and shrubs that are in your zone or one colder can be overwintered in an unheated garage, buried in the ground, or transplanted. 3. Perennials and shrubs in containers will need water through the winter but should not be kept wet.
Q: When is the best time to cut back in the fall? A: “When they start to look too ratty for you and before the fresh new growth begins,” says Sarah. For plants that are frost-sensitive, wait until after the plants have gone through several hard frosts to ensure they're dormant before cutting back.
Some perennials, like hostas, peonies and daylilies, need to be pruned in fall to avoid winter damage. Plants like these should be pruned after the first few frosts in late fall or early winter. Other perennials like mums and coneflowers are better off being pruned in spring just before new growth comes in.
Many gardeners cut back their perennials much too soon. There are nuances specific to certain perennials that dictate whether it is better to cut them back in fall or spring, but the general rule I like to follow is to only cut back perennials that start looking bad in fall.
The good news is that hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are tough and forgiving plants. Even if you forget to prune them at a certain time or you neglect to prune them at all, they'll still survive just fine, even if they don't look their best.
Divide fall blooming perennials in the spring because
Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter.
Perennials come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. One of the best things about perennials is that you only have to plant them once and then they come back bigger and better every year. Many perennials can be divided every 3-4 years, so you'll have plenty to plant in other parts of your garden or share with friends.
As a general rule, hostas should be cut back in the late fall. Start with leaves that have wilted or turned brown. Healthy leaves can stay a bit longer to help the roots store needed energy. If 25% or more of the hostas is dying, you will know it is time to cut it back.
Daylilies are best cut back in autumn, once the leaves have had a full growing season on the plant. While there are some evergreen types of daylilies, most are herbaceous, meaning that the leaves die back in the wintertime and sprout anew in the early spring.
Early spring and fall care are best times for transplanting. Then the weather is cooler and the plants are not using as much water. “However, don't move or transplant perennials while they are in bloom,” he says. “As a general rule, wait a few weeks after they bloom before moving.
After “how?", the second most-asked question we get about pruning is “when?” (Or, "Can I prune this now?") The rule of thumb is to prune immediately after bloom for flowering shrubs, in late winter or early spring for non-blooming shrubs (particularly for heavy pruning), and not after mid-August for any shrubs.
Never prune too early in the winter, as incisions can dry out if the temperature drops well below freezing. When pruning, first prune out dead and diseased branches, especially those caused by the winter's snow and ice. Unwanted lower branches on all evergreen shrubs and trees should also be removed in late winter.
"As soon as trees and shrubs go into dormancy, pruning can begin," he said. "And you can prune up to the time when buds begin to plump up." From mid-November to mid-March, you can shape and thin your deciduous plants in preparation for the spring season ahead.
No matter what type of shrub you have, fall pruning can stimulate late-season growth that may not have enough time to harden. This can weaken and damage the plant—especially if there's an early frost. Instead, wait until winter and trim bushes when the plant is in deep dormancy.