Ask the Landscape Professional

Q: When should I cut back my perennial flowers? After they bloom, fall or spring?

A: It is mostly a matter of personal preference when to cut perennials back. Perennials can be cut back at the end of the season in late fall or the beginning of the season in early spring.  Some people would rather have a tidy-looking appearance to their property throughout the winter months and would rather trim all of the perennials in the fall once they have dried out and turned brown. Others will take whatever winter interest we can get from our plants with the cold and snowy weather in our area and leave the trimming for the spring.

If you wait until spring to trim perennials, try to wait until the ground is semi-dry.  You don’t want to be stepping in wet, gooey soil that will compact underfoot and potentially damage emerging plants.  Trim dried stems as low to the base of the plant as possible to allow room for the new stems and leaves to come through.

If you need any help with your spring clean-up, our crews are being scheduled right now. Give us a call at 815.459.7926 or email us here.