To Cut or Not to Cut?
Amy Kolden, sales associate from Monrovia Nurseries, offers the following suggestions on whether or not to cut back old foliage in the fall: - "There are different lines of thought on cleaning up annuals and perennials in the fall," says Kolden. "Seed heads and uncut ornamental grasses show beautifully in the winter with a blanket of snow. Seed heads and old foliage peaking through the snow and ice remind me of the natural wintering in the north woods."
- Seed heads are a great way to attract wildlife to your yard in the winter.
- If you get snow in your area, think twice about cutting old foliage in the fall. "Snow tends to stay in place better when the plants still have foliage and old flower heads on them," says Kolden. "Snow is a great insulator for your plants!"
- If you are interested in growing more of the same plant in an area, don't cut seed heads. "Some plants may re-seed themselves over the winter if you leave the flower heads on," she says. "This is great for some plants and burdensome for others."
- Check for disease. "It's a good idea to clean up any diseased plant debris so you don't spread that disease into next spring," says Kolden.
- If you do plan to cut old foliage, don't do it too soon. "If you prefer the cleaner look for your winter garden you could cut back the perennials, remembering to leave the foliage on as long as it's green so the plant can store energy for the long winter," she says.
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