I have planted a few new perrenial shrubs this year. When do I cut back, OR DO I?

Question

I have planted a few new perrenial shrubs this year. My question is should I cut them back to the ground before winter, or should I just leave them loose their foliage and leave the bare branches there all winter? If I should cut them down, how far and when? If I should let them be, does the new growth come from the ground or from the bare branches next year?
ALSO, I have new daylilies this year. Should I cut these back to the ground as well? Is there any special care for them?

HOW ABOUT Rose of Sharon care?

Answer 1

First the shrubs.. don't cut them this year. Next year, in the spring if you notice that there are branches that "didn't make it" feel free to prune the dead off.. then after they flower go ahead if you don't like the shape work it into a pleasing shape. One thing don't ever prune more than 1/3 of the bush. It can cause growth to slow, not be encouraged. They will spend the first 1-2 years sending more energy to the roots then at about 2 years maybe 3 depending on the shrub the top will take off.

Daylillies just let them be.. unless you want to clean up the completely dead in the spring.

Answer 2

I cut my perrenials back about an inch or two from the ground and then cover the root area with a good blanket of mulch for protection in the winter and to keep moisture in the hotter months. (It really depends on where you live...I am in TX.)When my daylilies turn brown, I pull off the dead parts. They always come back. The only thing I do for them is water them a few times a week...they are very hardy.
I prune all of my roses year round...so they do not get too woody.

Answer 3

Not sure on your shrubs, however for your daylilies ...

Once the stalks have completely dried, simply pull them straight out rather than cutting them off. I typically leave the foliage to winter over and then clean up the dead material in the spring after any chance of frost has past.

*~ Enjoy ~*

Answer 4

Just leave them alone. If they are deciduous then they will loose their leaves, but the leaves will return in spring. Don't cut the day lilies back, they will die back on their own and reemerge at the right time. I just leave my day lillies to die back on their own and I'm in zone 7 so they stay in the ground year round. Just leave the Rose of Sharon alone too. It is a deciduous shrub as well and will leaf back out in spring.
Some shrubs do benefit from Autumn pruning so let us know what kind of shrubs you have and we can let you know if they would benefit from pruning.
Good Luck

Answer 5

The First year of perrenial plants; I didn't prune at all but made sure there was lots of bedding around them before winter. Spring - - trimmed the dead wood. We're in Zone 4.

Shrub pruning in 2nd year, etc... fall or spring.
Roses trimmed down in fall, lot of winter protection.
Daylilies - - Very hardy. We just pull out the dead flower stalks as the stalks die. Spring we rake out the dead long leaves (they served as ground cover). My mom always mows over them in the fall & throws leaves on them for winter coverage. Hers & mine get so thick we have to dig out many every year. So both are safe ideas. Mine is Fall easier & her method is Spring easier.

Answer 6

You say perennial shrub..you mean decidious?? As in they leaf out..and then go into dormancy?? Your best bet for the then is to just wait till spring and cut back any dead wood. Otherwise, you may change the shape of it..AND you could cause it to go into shock! You don't want that to happen!

As for the daylillies..Im not sure where you live but your best bet is to let them do their thing..then right before the first frost, give em a good crew cut!

Good luck