Pruning Perennials
Tame those unruly perennials with a little early season pruning.
Prune back coneflower, Shasta daisies, asters and other late blooming perennials that tend to flop. Use hand pruners or shears to cut the stems back halfway in mid June. Some gardeners prune just the outer ring of stems. They grow shorter and stiffer and act as a living support for the taller, unpruned, stems in the center. Plus, the pruned stems bloom a bit later extending the floral display.
Floppy Autumn Joy sedum can be cut back as well. The new growth with be more compact and covered with smaller but many more showy flowers. Eliminate the floppy growth by moving the sedums to a full sun location with good drainage.
Tip prune mums and asters throughout June to keep the plant compact. Your efforts will be rewarded with loads of beautiful flowers on attractive plants.
And don’t procrastinate as late season pruning can delay blooms until the snow flies.
A bit more information: Pruning is just one way to keep floppy perennials looking good. Surround them with slightly shorter stiffer stemmed perennials or fluffy ornamental grasses to improve their posture and overall appearance. Or, use twigs to provide needed support. Carefully weave them into the tall plants to provide needed support while keeping the stakes out of sight.
Related

Audio

Audio
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 7-9, 2025
PBS Wisconsin's
Garden & Green Living Expo
Madison, WI
Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More