Gather a handful of stems and cut them off 2 to 3 inches above the soil. Peonies to keep fungal diseases from spreading.Bee balm and phlox which are prone to powdery mildew, so cut them all back once the flowers finish. There are a few perennials which we recommend cutting back, namely: Image: Septoria leaf spot lesions on rudbeckia leaves. Old stems can also get battered about by fall and winter winds, which will damage the plant's crown and roots.Īlso: Always cut back any infected or diseased plants! Badly damaged or infested foliage should be cut back and removed from infected plants. Diseases can overwinter in dead foliage, as can slugs and other pests. However, there are cultivated plants which are more susceptible to problems if the old foliage and dying stems are left to rot. If you follow nature's lead, the decomposing leaves not only insulate the plant during the winter freezes and thaws but also decompose to provide excellent (and free) fertilizer, saving you time and money in the spring. We enjoy leaving as many flower seedheads standing as possible to add both winter interest as well as feed the birds in cold weather. Technically, very few plants MUST be cut down in the fall. When it comes to perennials, don't be in a rush to cut things down hold off until after a several hard frosts. Even if the flowers or leaves are dead, the roots are reclaiming energy from the dying plant for healthy growth in the spring. It's obvious when it's time to pull out annual flowers they're one-hit wonders and turn black and die after the first frost. Advertisement When to Cut Back Perennials
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |