Some perennials like being cut back in the fall, while others prefer trimming in spring.
Here are perennials that like a good fall cut back, and five that don't:
Leave till spring:
Here are perennials that like a good fall cut back, and five that don't:
- Iris - cut back down to 6 - 8 inches
- Peony - cut back a few inches above the soil AFTER first frost
- Lilies and Daylilies - cut all leaves a few inches above the soil
- Phlox - trim down to the soil to prevent mildew from taking hold
- Blazing Star (liatris) - trim back it's flower spikes and leave to the base of the plant
- Hollyhocks - cut back to six inches above the ground
- Chrysanthemum - after a hard frost, trim down plant to six to eight inches from the soil
Leave till spring:
- Sedum
- Ornamental grasses (trapping snow insulates the plants)
- Russian sage
- Hibiscus