Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Apex, NC on Mar 28, 2012

Is now an okay time (early Spring, gardening zone 7B) to go ahead and prune my Dusty Miller plants?

They are gorgeous and I'm glad they survived the winter, but they didn't just survive... they're getting HUGE! They line my mailbox flowerbed and I had a Tulip bloom in the middle that could barely even be seen! I don't want to get rid of them... just trim them down a little so that the colorful can be enjoyed and seen too.

6 Comments

Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Normally it would probably be a little early, but given how mild the winter has been, I think you are safe to prune. If they are looking a straggly in the center, you might want to divide them, replanting the more vigorous, outside portions of the clump.

on Mar 28, 2012 · Like 1
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

I agree with Douglas. Go ahead and prune them back

on Mar 29, 2012 · Like 0
Evelyn R Manchester, MD

I'm in MD, close to the PA line. We're expecting some frost tonight. I have to keep reminding myself it's early up here yet!

on Mar 29, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

That's a very good thing to keep in mind, Evelyn.

on Mar 30, 2012 · Like 0
Flowerscapes Garden Desig... Suwanee, GA

I just cut mine yesterday out of frustration that they are too big. They were hiding my Heartbreaker purple shamrock. Never thought about the timing. I just figured that if they were bugging me, time to cut off a little. How far down can you cut them? And how many years will they look good if you just let them grow?

on Mar 31, 2012 · Like 0
Evelyn R Manchester, MD

This mild winter allowed the Saucer Magnolia to put on a beautiful show this year and was still going strong when we had a family get-together 2 wks ago. Three days later after rain and wind there were maybe 3 blooms left on the tree!

on Mar 31, 2012 · Like 0