They have already stopped blooming and are beginning to turn brownish yellow. Is it ok to cut them back now, or should I wait til it gets a little cooler?
2006-07-24 15:26:33 · 8 answers · asked by bigbadwolf 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I do nothing to mine except occasionall deadhead the spent blooms until it is completely brown then i might cut it all back...just depends on the flower and whether or not it is from root or bulb...with bulbs i wait until foilage is brown then cut dead off.....with root type perennials i dont do nothing until the next year...i am letting mine go to seed so the next yr i can move the seedlings...this is cheaper and easier for me because i have very large areas i want/need flowers in so i dont have to mow or weedeat...4 big steep banks and letting my perennials seed is saving me a ton of money
2006-07-24 19:21:46 · answer #1 · answered by ananimalloverinkentucky 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on where you live. Here in thr iterior of Alaska, I lave mine until the first hard frost. Then I cut the delphiniums, irises, lillies, shasta daisies, tulips and rhubarb back to the ground. Helps to reduce the number of cutworms and the little greenworms that get on the delphiniums. Bag up all the trimmings and take them to the dump. No cleanup in Spring when everything is yucky wet and muddy. Good luck.
2006-07-25 04:47:19 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut back the flowers and stems when the flowers die...unless you want the seeds. Do not cut back the foliage on your perennials until they're brown and dead. Your plants need the foliage to gain energy for next year's growing season.
2006-07-25 00:17:36 · answer #3 · answered by redneckgardendiva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deadhead spent blooms. Many types will rebloom again shortly afterwards. When entire plant browns and dies, usually around the end of October, then whack them back to the ground or just remove dead plant tissue and mulch for winter.
2006-07-24 22:31:10 · answer #4 · answered by geisha girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait a little bit. Its going to be better for the plant if it gets a chance to send it's nutrients back to the roots. After they get more brown and dead lookin you should be in the clear.
2006-07-25 00:45:53 · answer #5 · answered by farmgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have stopped blooming, it is safe to cut them back. Don't let them go to seed.
2006-07-24 22:32:41 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF THEY LOOK BAD I WOULD CUT THEM BACK IN MY YARD. DON'T STOP WATERING THEM THOUGH, YOU WANT THEM TO KEEP MAKING ROOTS SO THEY WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR. THEY MIGHT EVEN PRODUCE A LITTLE NEW GROWTH WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF YOU GARDEN.
2006-07-24 22:35:53 · answer #7 · answered by X 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.DIY.com
2006-07-24 22:29:48 · answer #8 · answered by hjkrol59 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋