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Perennials to cut back in fall




Plants are preferred when they are pruned: some perennials need to be cut back in the fall, while others do not respond well to fall pruning. It's a good idea to know your yard's plant preferences, as pruning at the wrong time of year can reduce flowering and cause other problems. Listed below are some of the best perennials that benefit from a late-season trim to promote better growth and reduce the risk of certain garden pests and diseases such as powdery mildew.


1. Bee Balm



Some gardeners prefer not to prune their bee balm (Monarda spp.) plants because birds and other wildlife often eat the seeds during the winter. However, if bee balm has struggled with powdery mildew problems during the growing season, it should be cut back in the fall. Pruning infected plants is one way to keep this plant disease from spreading, but watering your plants at the soil line and following proper spacing recommendations can minimize fungal problems.


2. Shining star


Burning star (Liatris spp.) foliage can be messy at the end of the season, and many gardeners like to cut these plants back to make their garden beds even more beautiful. While some gardeners prune the plants immediately after flowering, this may reduce flowering the following year. Waiting for these perennials to die back naturally in the fall will give your plants more time to grow and conserve the energy they need to survive the winter.


3. Catmint



In catnip (Nepeta spp.) long stems often fall off at the end of the growing season, leaving garden beds untidy in winter. Pruning catmint plants 4 to 6 inches above the soil line in fall will give your flowerbeds a neat appearance. But don't cut catmint too low to the ground, as this will make the plant's roots more vulnerable to winter damage.


4. Daylilies


Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) usually bloom throughout the summer, although there are some varieties that continue to bloom into the fall. But when frosts come, diurnal plants naturally die back, and dead leaves can be easily cut back to keep your garden tidy. While some gardeners prune daylilies early in the season, this can interfere with the plant's photosynthetic capacity and daylilies are much healthier if they are cut after the first fall frost.


5. Garden phlox



Powdery mildew is often a problem for garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). Nip mildew problems in the bud by cutting back your flax plants in the fall and properly disposing of all diseased leaves. This includes burning or bagging the affected plant parts and throwing them in the trash.


6. Hostas


Hostas (Hosta spp.) are commonly grown in shade gardens and their easy-going nature makes them excellent plant choices for beginning gardeners. However, hostas are often attacked by slugs and snails during the growing season. These pesky creatures lay their eggs on hosta leaves in the fall. Cutting hosta leaves after they die back in fall will improve the appearance of your plant and prevent slug eggs from overwintering.


7. Iris



Like daylilies and shooting star, irises (Iris spp.) can appear droopy at the end of the season and their leaves often become thin after frost. But if you wait to prune your plants until after the first fall frost, your bulbs will have more time to photosynthesize and store energy for the winter. When pruning irises, make your cuts 6 to 8 inches above the crown of the plant and fan the leaves to give your irises a more organic look.

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