What to Cut…or Not…after a Killing Frost

In the fall, we get a lot of questions about what plants to cut back. There really isn’t a set rule on many of these plants, and the answer can also vary depending on each gardener’s situation. Much is determined by individual preference, time constraints, weather, etc.   Keep in mind leaving plant debris until spring can be a source of fungus and debris. It also provides a home for mice, so if you have a problem with them, you may want to be more aggressive with what you cut back in the fall.

Plants to leave up for Winter Interest and/or for the birds to enjoy the seed pods:

Aster

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Globe Thistle (Echinops)

Hydrangea

Joe Pye Weed

Liatris

Ornamental Grass

Tall Garden Sedum

 

Plants that can/should be cut back in the fall after a killing frost:

Amsonia

Anemone

Artemesia

Astilbe

Baptisia

Bleeding heart

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Brunnera

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)

Campanula

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)

Catmint (Nepeta)

Columbine (Aquilegia)

Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia)

Daisy

Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Delphinium * Cut at 6-8 inches

Filipendula

Foam Flower (Tiarella)

Geum

Hosta

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys)

Ligularia

Lupine * Cut back at 6-8 inches

Meadow Rue (Thalictrum) Some varieties will self-seed; can leave till spring if desired

Salvia

Sneezeweed (Helenium)

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Turtlehead (Chelone)

Veronica

Yarrow (Achillea)

 

These plants are prone to pest and disease. They should be cut back in the fall and

foliage disposed of rather than composted:

Bearded Iris

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Japanese Anemone

Penstemon

Peony

Tall Garden Phlox

 

Plants that should be left for the winter and cut back in the spring:

* Some plants require only a small clean up vs. total cut back.

Bergenia *

Chrysanthemums

Coral Bells (Heuchera) *

Creeping Phlox *

Dianthus *

Foxglove (Digitalis)

Poppy

Russian Sage (Perovskia) * Cut at 6-8 inches