During the last week of June, I severely cut back three groups of perennials as a means to “clean them up”, as all three had bloomed their asses off and were now looking tired and spent.
I knew they would bounce back rather quickly with nice clean foliage and some new blooms and I’m here today to show you that they came through with flying colors.
#1 – Tradescantia (Spiderwort) ‘Sweet Kate’:
After the the big cut back:
And how they looked about two weeks later:
And five weeks later … :
… with some periodic re-bloom to boot:
#2 – Geranium ‘Brookside’:
The day of their haircut:
And as of this evening:
#3 – Nepeta (Catmint) ‘Walker’s Low’:
Sheared back:
And now sporting cleaner foliage and some blooms (not to mention the bees are back in droves):
While cutting back your perennials seems like a frightening proposition at first, I would actually be more frightened to leave them untouched. Trust me, it gets ugly.
If you chop them back (assuming you did your research and you know which ones are “choppable”), in two to three weeks time they will look better than they did right before they were snipped.
Remember, “Just prune it”.
John
Excellent advice…the garden needs a little tidy up mid-summer…I have been chopping the darn old daylilies…boy, they get ugly after flowering…especially in this heat…
And my ferns went for the big dump all of a sudden…GONE…and the beds look better…
Cheers!
Linda :o)
I agree, I am a big advocate of pruning, keeps the garden fresh and much neater.
Eileen
Pruning is one of those jobs I like. Great stress reliever. My ‘Sweet Kate’ has lost that bright yellow foliage, maybe needs more sun? Where is yours?
I will be outside pruning tonight:) Thanks!
I am a sissy sometimes when it comes to this but your post has given me a push to get after it!
I keep my Felcos next to the back door because there’s always pruning to do. The garden looks like poo if you don’t!
Wow what a great job. I can’t believe how well they have turned out, I bet you are so pleased. I love the satisfaction you get after pruning when you get results like that!
Thanks for reassuring me with more than words that pruning (sometimes severely) is a good thing! Your pictures are great!