Pruning perennials

We are often asked the question: "Should we cut garden perennials in September, on the eve of cold weather?". Of course, this important event should be approached wisely and acted competently. After all, plants suffer much more from improper pruning than from all other mistakes in their cultivation. Due to the violation of deadlines and non-compliance with the technology of performing these works, perennials often get sick, bloom poorly, and often die. Here are the rules to follow.To begin with, any plants should be pruned with clean tools, because otherwise they are likely to become infected with viral infections, for which there is often no effective treatment. As you know, it is better to prevent a disease than to cure it. And in order not to transmit diseases from one plant to another, working tools should be treated either in boiling water or on an open fire, where viruses die almost instantly. If this is not possible, then the plant should be pruned in the correct sequence, putting off variegated (especially hosts), as well as peonies and phlox, which are most susceptible to viral diseases.Now about the timing…At the end of September, it is too early to cut perennials, since in most of Russia at this time it is still far from the onset of real frosts (especially now that the growing season has significantly lengthened). After such pruning, dormant buds can wake up and grow under the influence of heat. Of course, such sprouts do not have time to form and will certainly die, thereby significantly weakening the plant. And at the place of their death, an "immune gap" can form, which can become a gateway for infection. Therefore, pruning should be carried out as late as possible, and best of all when the frost begins to grip the top layer of soil, that is, after the ambient temperature drops below minus 4 degrees. Not all flowers should be pruned in autumn.Those of them that bloom in September and October (perennial asters, scalloped brown-leaved bouzulniki, late-flowering varieties of paniculate phlox, prominent scallops), as well as bearded irises and daylilies should be cut in the spring, carefully removing dead parts of the leaves and trying not to damage the young shoots. And it is absolutely impossible to prune evergreens such as badan, carnations, some wormwood, saxifrage, thyme and others. Only faded peduncles and dead leaves are removed from them.The exception to this rule is cereals. In any case, if you have doubts about the correctness of autumn pruning, postpone this procedure until spring. It will be much more reliable this way. Do not forget that some perennials should be pruned immediately after flowering. Such plants include delphinium, oriental poppy, small-petrel, hellebore, aquilegia, anemone, lupine, some primroses, bathers, etc. They will have time to grow back during the summer and should be re-pruned in late autumn. In other perennials, after flowering, it is enough to remove only the peduncles. Most herbaceous plants are cut flush with the ground. Only in phlox paniculata and volzhanka it is necessary to leave "stumps" 5-7 centimeters high.And one more piece of advice… To keep your hands from getting tired of pruning flowers, you should get good, convenient tools with a sharp cutting edge. The best tool for pruning perennials is a sickle with transverse notches on a semicircular blade. They work quickly and easily. It does not need periodic sharpening. As you can see, sometimes the best is the well-forgotten old! But you need to look for a real traditional tool, not a modern fake. And then you will make your work much easier. And proper and timely pruning will help your garden stay healthy and attractive for many years to come! Finding a trustworthy bookmaker among hundreds of pop-up platforms requires checking licenses and market reputation first. A smart bettor receives a curated list of international operators, from Stake to Bet365, all verified for fair play and secure payouts. The best betting sites are ranked here by their odds depth and live betting stability, not just by flashy banners. By comparing our editorially listed table, you instantly see which platforms offer the lowest minimum deposits starting from €1, helping you avoid scam websites and start betting with real legal bookmakers.