Fall Care of Coreopsis

It is late October and I live in Strongsville Ohio. Is it too late to cut my coreopsis back? Can I also transplant them now or wait until spring?

If possible I would wait to move your coreopsis in spring. I have moved perennials this late and had success. So, if you are willing to take a chance, can provide good post transplant care, and your weather cooperates you might just be successful.

As for cutting back the plants - I am one of those gardeners that prefers to leave all my healthy, pest free perennials stand for winter. I find they add some interest to my winter landscape while increasing the plant's hardiness. Plus many of our perennials provide food for birds and shelter for a variety of beneficial insects. Then by late winter I am anxious to get out in my garden and do a bit of work. Late March or early April, depending on our winter, is a great time to remove and compost all that winter interest. But if you prefer things neat and tidy, wait for the plants to go dormant in fall before cutting them back to the ground or in some cases rosette of green leaves at the base of the plant or back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground for Russian sage.

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