As the winter season approaches, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare your garden for the colder temperatures. By properly pruning and cutting back certain plants, you can ensure a healthier and more vibrant garden come springtime. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the best practices for cutting back perennials and show you which plants should be pruned in preparation for winter. So let’s dive in and get your garden ready for the winter months!
When to Cut Back Perennials
Knowing when to cut back your perennials is crucial for their overall health and vitality. While it may be tempting to start pruning as soon as the first frost hits, it’s best to wait until after several hard frosts have occurred. By giving your plants time to fully enter their dormant phase, you allow them to reclaim energy from dying leaves and stems, which will promote healthy growth in the spring.
It’s important to note that not all plants require cutting back in the fall. In fact, many perennials benefit from leaving their foliage intact throughout the winter. The decomposing leaves act as insulation and provide natural fertilizer, saving you time and money in the spring. However, there are some cultivated plants that are more susceptible to problems if the old foliage and dying stems are left to rot. These plants may harbor diseases, pests, or suffer damage from fall and winter winds.
To determine which perennials should be cut back, consider the specific needs of each plant. If a plant is prone to powdery mildew or fungal diseases, it’s best to cut it back in the fall. Additionally, plants like hostas and bearded iris benefit from being cut back to prevent slug infestations and disease spread. Always remember to cut back any infected or diseased plants to prevent further damage.
Here are some perennials that we recommend cutting back in the fall:
- Bee balm and phlox (to prevent powdery mildew)
- Peonies (to prevent fungal diseases)
- Hosta foliage (after a hard frost to prevent slug infestations)
- Bearded iris (after the first frost to reduce iris borer populations)
How to Cut Back Perennials
Proper technique is essential when cutting back perennials to ensure the health and longevity of your plants. After several hard frosts have passed, remove the spent flowers and stems by cutting them near the base of the plant. It’s recommended to use bypass pruners, as they make clean cuts through the stems without causing damage. Avoid using anvil pruners, as they tend to crush the stems and leave more damage behind.
When cutting back your perennials, leave about 2 to 3 inches of each stem standing to protect the crown during winter. This will help prevent damage from freezing and thawing cycles. Some late summer or fall perennials may have already started to form leaves for next year at the base of the plant. Be sure to leave these rosettes of green intact while cutting back the rest of the plant.
After pruning, it’s a good idea to apply a light layer of mulch around the base of the plants. This will help insulate the soil and provide additional protection during the winter months. However, avoid fertilizing your plants in the fall, as it can encourage new growth that will be vulnerable to cold weather damage. Save fertilization for the spring when plants are actively growing.
Plants to Leave for Winter Interest
While cutting back perennials is important for maintaining the overall health of your garden, it’s also beneficial to leave some plants standing for winter interest and to provide food for birds and wildlife. These plants add visual appeal to your garden and create a habitat for overwintering insects and beneficial organisms.
Here are some favorite perennials to leave standing for winter interest:
- Blackberry lily (Belamcanda)
- Ornamental grasses
- Agastaches, coneflowers, and rudbeckia
- Native sedum, Joe Pye weed, and oxeye sunflower
By leaving these seedheads and foliage intact, you can enjoy the beauty of your garden even during the winter months. Plus, you’ll be providing valuable resources for birds and other creatures that rely on these plants for food and shelter.
Perennials Not to Cut Back
While many perennials benefit from being cut back in the fall, there are certain plants that should be left alone. Evergreen perennials, such as epimediums, hellebores, heucheras, and hardy geraniums, should not be pruned in the fall. These plants maintain their foliage year-round and should only be tidied up in the spring as needed.
Other perennials, like candytuft, primulas, hens & chicks, heaths, and heathers, are also considered evergreen and should not be cut back in the fall. These plants will continue to provide color and interest in your garden throughout the winter months.
Additionally, hardy perennials like garden mums, anise hyssop, red-hot poker, and Montauk daisy should not be cut back severely in the fall. Leave the foliage intact to protect the root crowns from winter damage. Cutting back these plants too much can stimulate late new growth, which is more susceptible to winter kill.
Clean Up Garden Debris
As part of your fall garden maintenance, it’s important to clean up any garden debris that may harbor diseases or pests. Remove any leaves or plant material that show signs of disease, such as powdery mildew or leaf spots. These infected materials should not be composted, as they can spread diseases to other plants. Dispose of them in the trash or burn them to prevent further contamination.
By removing diseased or bug-infested plant material, you can reduce the risk of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden. This will help ensure a healthier garden in the spring and minimize the need for chemical interventions.
Mulching for Winter Protection
Mulching is an effective way to provide insulation and protect your plants from the freezing and thawing cycles of winter. While some hardy plants may not require mulching, it’s always a good idea to give them some extra protection, especially if you live in an area with harsh winters or minimal snow cover.
When mulching your garden, wait until the ground is frozen before applying the mulch. This will prevent rodents from making a cozy home in the warm soil. Choose a mulch that won’t pack down and smother your plants, such as shredded leaves, pine needles, straw, or evergreen boughs. Snow also provides excellent insulation, so let it accumulate naturally to protect your plants.
Remember that newly planted perennials are more vulnerable to winter damage and should be mulched for their first winter. Mulching helps maintain even soil temperatures and prevents root heaving caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
Watering and Weeding
Proper watering is essential before the ground freezes. If your area has experienced drought conditions during the growing season, continue watering your garden until the ground freezes. Water-stressed plants are more susceptible to winter damage, so providing adequate moisture is crucial for their survival.
Before the ground freezes completely, take the opportunity to do a final weeding. Removing weeds, especially those with seeds, will help prevent their spread in the spring. Edge your garden beds for a neat and tidy look, which will carry over into the next growing season.
Preparing your garden for the winter months is an important part of being a responsible gardener. By cutting back perennials at the right time, cleaning up garden debris, and providing adequate protection through mulching, you can ensure a healthier and more vibrant garden in the spring. Remember to leave some plants for winter interest and provide food for birds and wildlife. With proper care and maintenance, your garden will thrive year after year, bringing joy and beauty to your outdoor space.
Contact us (859-314-LAWN) for more information or a free instant quote!
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