Pruning / cutting back

yorkiethornton

Hi. I’ve several plants which to date I’ve left as grown last summer and would welcome some guidance on whether to cut back or not? These include verbena, salvia, candela and rudbeckia (which has retained its flowers). Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Obelixx

I would leave all the top growth on, whether dead or not, as there is still a month or two of winter to go and the old stems and foliage will protect the crowns from storms, heavy frosts and snow.   Watch the weather and wait till March or even early April, depending on where you are, to cut back and allow light and air to the new growth.

yorkshirerose

I agree. Mother Nature can spring some nasty surprises on us yet!

Topbird

I never cut back penstemons before April but everything else I cut back when it collapses and gets messy and untidy. Anything which is behaving is left until spring

yorkiethornton

Obelixx said:

I would leave all the top growth on, whether dead or not, as there is still a month or two of winter to go and the old stems and foliage will protect the crowns from storms, heavy frosts and snow.   Watch the weather and wait till March or even early April, depending on where you are, to cut back and allow light and air to the new growth.

Thank you 😁

Dovefromabove

I wouldn’t cut salvias back until there’s strong new growth in the spring. Then cut back by two thirds.