Do I have to cut down perennials before winter ?

Question

I have different types of perennials but I don’t know if I have to cut them down :)

Gk · Answer

What kind of perennials do you have and what planting zone do you live in? Give us a few more details and you will get some helpful answers!

Em · Answer

Some die back on their own and all you need to do is trim off the dead leaves. Many perennials don't need to be trimmed at all, they shed their leaves and new growth comes back on old branches. Easy to research.

Chaz · Answer

What I do is with almost all perennials is the plant after a good frost and they turn completely dead and brown I will cut them down and cover with leaves or mulch to protect them for the cold winter and in the spring when the weather gets right I take the leaves off the plant and they will regrow. Do not know what kind of plants you have, but roses you cut them so far down?

Zard Pocleeb · Answer

I’m not sure if all perennials are the same, and I don’t have a lot of plants, but I don’t do anything with my hosta and it comes up fine in the spring.

Rockyroad · Answer

Some people say yes , some say no . I usually had good luck cutting back after a good frost so I didn't have to look at ratty dead flowers or stems all winter .

Vimarhonor · Answer

Hello Nancy

Putting your garden to bed properly will result in a prettier, healthier garden t next season.

That is a very thoughtful question. Prevention of troublesome diseases and can be effective way to have a healthier and beautiful garden the next season.

I tend to clean up most of my garden as I don’t want to give any chance for moldy type diseases to overwinter for next season. I do leave my coneflowers and my tall grasses ( miscanthius) for winter interest and the birds seem to enjoy them, removing them early spring before new growth begins.