Should you really prune perennials in the fall? Our contribution gets to the bottom of this question. You will receive valuable information about when the autumn pruning is good and in which cases you should better do without it.
It is often advisable to cut back perennials in autumn
Cut perennials in autumn - when does it make sense?
You can or even should cut many perennials in the fall so that the plants can take off with new energy in the spring. In addition, you avoid a messy-looking garden in winter with the autumn pruning.
Pruning in the fall is highly recommended, especially for perennials that are very exhausting during their flowering period. Blanket flowers and hollyhocks are examples of such plants. With a pruning in autumn you extend the basic lifespan of such perennials.
There is another significant advantage of autumn pruning: the stems are still taut, so the plants can be worked on easily. Perennials often become soft and mushy over winter, making spring pruning more difficult.
Not to forget that with an autumn pruning there is no problem with the new shoots, which of course have no interest in coming into contact with the secateurs.
Pruning recommendations
Cut faded perennials about four inches above the ground. Be careful not to cut off the newly formed overwintering buds. From these, the plants want to sprout again in the new season.
- Use pruning shears or a special perennial sickle to cut the perennials. The latter cuts many stalks at once. If you are dealing with robust ground cover, you can also grab the hedge trimmer and use it as a scythe. Simply angle the cutting head.
- Only use really sharp tools to ensure you cut the perennials properly and don't crush them.
- When cutting roses, the scissors must be completely clean and disinfected to prevent the transmission of pathogens.
- Clean your tools after pruning the perennials so that the plant juices don't dry on them.
What perennials refuse fall pruning
Evergreen perennials such as candytufts or golden strawberries should only be cut back in autumn if they are overgrowing. Otherwise it is better to leave them (except for diseased parts of the plant, which you must always remove to prevent disease). This is how you counteract bare-looking beds.
Some perennials enrich the garden in winter with their attractive fruit and seed stands, for example the sedum plant, yarrow or the lantern flower. In addition, the dried seed heads are an important source of food for birds in the cool season and a practical roost for beneficial insects.
Note: Uncut perennials are better protected from frost and cold. This means that you should generally only cut frost-sensitive perennials in spring.