As the growing season winds down, your perennials are getting ready for their winter rest. A little care in the fall goes a long way toward keeping them healthy and ensuring strong growth next spring.
- Cut Back—But Not Everything
Many perennials benefit from being cut back in fall once the foliage has died back. Removing old, diseased, or floppy growth helps prevent problems like rot and pests over winter. However, not every plant needs trimming—some, like coneflowers and ornamental grasses, can be left standing. Their seed heads add winter interest and provide food for birds. - Clean Up and Divide
Clearing away fallen leaves and dead stems around your plants improves air circulation and reduces the chance of disease. Fall is also an ideal time to divide crowded perennials like daylilies, hostas, and irises. Dividing keeps them vigorous and can give you new plants to fill in other parts of your garden. - Add Mulch for Protection
Once the ground starts to cool, add a light layer of mulch around your perennials. This helps insulate the roots from temperature swings and protects plants during freeze-thaw cycles. Just be sure not to the crown of the plant with mulch. - Now or Later?
Some people leave their perennials over the winter and cut them back when it warms up in the spring to create overwintering habitat for insects. Just be careful not to wait too late in the spring when new growth has begun, it’s easy to damage the tender new shoots when working in the garden. If you have had problems with disease or damaging insect populations, you may want to clean up in fall to control those issues for the next year.
Our team can help with seasonal cutbacks, cleanup, and mulching—so your landscape stays neat and your plants are ready for a strong start next spring.
