Phlox and bee balm, for example, are prone to powdery mildew, which leaves.

Jun 07, Cutting Back Butterfly Bush For Winter. Most butterfly bushes lose their leaves in late fall, and the roots remain viable underground while the plant winters over. That means in most growing zones, there is no need to prune your butterfly bush before winter. In fact, pruning too late in fall could leave it more susceptible to damage. Nov 19, When is the Best Time to Cut Back Perennials? There are two factors to keep in mind when deciding when to cut back your perennials.

Number one is the type of plant. Some perennials, like hostas, peonies and daylilies, need to be pruned in fall to avoid winter damage. Plants like these should be pruned after the first few frosts in late fall or. Feb 18, A 4 to 6″ mulching of plants will prepare and protect strawberries from winter’s freezing temperatures.

Frost will blacken and collapse the foliage of begonias.

If using leaves, shredding is a better option that whole leaves. Whole leaves can become soggy and thick, and smother plants out. Strawberries should be mulched in late fall, once they have gone dormant for the season.

Cutting back in spring. Many gardeners choose to leave dead herbaceous plants and grasses over winter to provide structure to the garden, as well as food and shelter for wildlife. However, more care is needed when cutting back in spring to avoid damaging new shoot growth. Most gardeners start cutting back from March onwards.