{"id":3979,"date":"2023-10-06T09:15:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T09:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/?p=3979"},"modified":"2023-10-09T13:59:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T13:59:37","slug":"preparing-garden-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/preparing-garden-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing the Garden for Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"827219ce0a87fa193c09e84c4c9a0f12\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:20px 0 20px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- MOINSBD Link Top -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4387862990858706\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"6762903103\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"link\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3980 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Preparing-for-Winter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"709\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Preparing-for-Winter.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Preparing-for-Winter-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/>Moving or dividing perennials in the autumn is a great way to reduce your work next spring.\u00a0 The cool, moist weather is an ideal time for perennial roots to become well established, even in cold-winter regions.<\/p>\n<p>Gardeners often ask us when the best season is to move specific perennials, so we have a working &#8220;rule of thumb&#8221; for timing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>John&#8217;s Rule-of-Thumb for when to move or divide perennials:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If the plant blooms between early spring and late June, then early fall division\/moving is ideal.<\/li>\n<li>If the plant blooms after late June, then early spring division is ideal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Exceptions to the rule are: Peonies (move\/divide in fall only), Oriental Poppies (move\/divide in August), Bearded Iris (move\/divide in July through September) and true Lilies (move\/divide in mid to late fall).<\/p>\n<p>Of course, you can always break the rules and see what happens.\u00a0 Just remember that if you move or divide a big, bushy perennial\u00a0<strong>always cut back the foliage by at least half<\/strong>\u00a0to prevent serious wilting.\u00a0 This helps to keep the leaf mass in proportion to the reduced number of roots!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Once Autumn has truly arrived&#8230;.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A couple of good, hard frosts makes a big difference in the garden.\u00a0 Some perennials immediately begin to go dormant, while others seem to want to hang on into late fall.\u00a0 To those new gardeners out there, we encourage you to consider leaving most perennials alone in the fall if you are unsure of what winter interest they might provide.\u00a0 It would seem a shame, for instance, to cut back those big, beautiful clumps of ornamental grasses in the fall, ruining any opportunity to hear them rustling in the winter winds, or to enjoy the contrast of their wheat-coloured stems against clean, fresh snow.\u00a0 Winter interest is entirely subjective, and only you can decide what is attractive to your eye, or what looks tired and messy.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few tips and ideas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>fall-blooming\u00a0<strong>ornamental grasses<\/strong>\u00a0usually remain gorgeous well into the winter.\u00a0 It seems a real shame to cut them back to the ground before late winter or early spring. Some gardeners are now waiting even beyond THAT, and enjoying the effect of wheat-colored grass clumps contrasting with spring-flowering bulbs!<\/li>\n<li><strong>seed-heads<\/strong>\u00a0of certain perennials provide food for finches and other birds, and they look great against a blanket of snow.\u00a0 Most late-flowering daisy-type perennials are on this list (like Rudbeckia and Purple Coneflower), but others with nice seed-heads and sturdy stems include:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Achillea\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=achillea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Achillea<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Agastache\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=agastache\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Agastache<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Aster\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=aster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aster<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Astilbe\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=astilbe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Astilbe<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Baptisia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=baptisia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baptisia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Buddliea\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=buddleia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buddleia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Chelone\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=chelone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chelone<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Cimicifuga\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=cimicifuga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cimicifuga<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Eryngium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=eryngium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eryngium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Eupatorium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=eupatorium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eupatorium<\/a><\/em>, taller\u00a0<em><a title=\"Sedum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=sedum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sedum<\/a><\/em>, and a few others.<\/li>\n<li>there is a common theory that the dead tops of perennials help to\u00a0<strong>trap the snow<\/strong>, which is the very best insulation against cold temperatures.\u00a0 In regions with erratic snowcover and mid-winter thaws, the tiny bit of extra snow that is actually trapped may in fact be of little benefit.<\/li>\n<li>many perennials have\u00a0<strong>very little winter interest<\/strong>. Cutting these types back in the fall effectively &#8220;clears the clutter&#8221; and makes the ones you leave look even better. Consider cutting these down in late fall:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Alchemilla\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=alchemilla\">Alchemilla<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Anemone\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=anemone\">Anemone<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Campanula\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=campanula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Campanula<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Centaurea\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=centaurea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Centaurea<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Coreopsis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=coreopsis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Coreopsis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Delphinium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=delphinium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Delphinium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Dicentra\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=dicentra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dicentra<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Euphorbia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=euphorbia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Euphorbia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Geranium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=geranium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Geranium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Hemerocallis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=hemerocallis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hemerocallis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Hosta\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=hosta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hosta<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Lychnis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=lychnis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lychnis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Monarda\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=monarda\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Monarda<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Nepeta\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=nepeta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nepeta<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Oenothera\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=oenothera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oenothera<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<a title=\"Summer Phlox\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=summer+phlox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Phlox<\/em>\u00a0(tall types)<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Trollius\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=trollius\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trollius<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Veronica\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=veronica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Veronica<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Certain perennials naturally carry over a low clump of evergreen leaves near the ground, known as a &#8220;<strong>rosette<\/strong>&#8220;.\u00a0 Although you can trim the upright stems back, these lower leaves need to be left alone in the fall. By spring they often look a little worse for wear, but a quick trim with scissors (only the brown or dead parts) will tidy the plants up again.\u00a0 In this group are:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Achillea\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=achillea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Achillea<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Aster\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=aster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aster<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Coreopsis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=coreopsis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Coreopsis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Digitalis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=digitalis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digitalis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Erigeron\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=erigeron\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Erigeron<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Fragaria\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=fragaria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fragaria<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Gaillardia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=gaillardia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gaillardia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Geum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=geum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Geum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Heuchera\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=heuchera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heuchera<\/a><\/em>, <a title=\"Bearded Iris\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=bearded+iris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bearded Iris<\/a>, <a title=\"Shasta Daisy\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=shasta+daisy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shasta Daisies<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Penstemon\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=penstemon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Penstemon<\/a><\/em>, <a title=\"Papaver\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=papaver\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poppies<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Polemonium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=polemonium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Polemonium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Potentilla\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=potentilla\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Potentilla<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Salvia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=salvia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Salvia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Scabiosa\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=scabiosa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scabiosa<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Stachys\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=stachys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stachys<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Tiarella\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=tiarella\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tiarella<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Verbascum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=verbascum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Verbascum<\/a><\/em>, and many of the hardy ferns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Evergreen perennials<\/strong>\u00a0and alpines should not be trimmed in the fall.\u00a0 Usually the best time to trim these is immediately after blooming, if at all.\u00a0 Leave these ones alone in the fall:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Ajuga\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=ajuga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ajuga<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Alyssum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=alyssum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alyssum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Arabis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=arabis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arabis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Armeria\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=armeria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Armeria<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<a title=\"Artemisia Powis Castle\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/plants\/artemisia-powis-castle.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Artemisia<\/em>\u00a0&#8216;Powis Castle&#8217;<\/a> and <a title=\"Artemisia Huntington\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/plants\/artemisia-huntingdon.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8216;Huntingdon&#8217;<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Aubrieta\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=aubrieta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aubrieta<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Aurinia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=aurinia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aurinia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Bergenia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=bergenia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bergenia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Cerastium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=cerastium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cerastium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Corydalis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=corydalis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corydalis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Dianthus\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=dianthus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dianthus<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Epimedium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=epimedium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Epimedium<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(trim in late winter, before new buds appear), evergreen\u00a0<em><a title=\"Euphorbia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=euphorbia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Euphorbia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Helianthemum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=helianthemum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Helianthemum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Helleborus\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=helleborus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Helleborus<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Heuchera\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=heuchera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heuchera<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Iberis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=iberis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iberis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Kniphofia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=kniphofia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kniphofia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Lamium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=lamium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lamium<\/a><\/em>, <a title=\"Lavandula\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=lavandula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lavender<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Liriope\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=liriope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Liriope<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Origanum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=origanum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Origanum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Phlox\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=phlox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phlox<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(creeping types),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Primula\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=primula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Primula<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Pulmonaria\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=pulmonaria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pulmonaria<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Sagina\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=sagina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sagina<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Saxifraga\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=saxifraga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Saxifraga<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Stonecrop\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=stonecrop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sedum<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(many creeping types),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Serpervivum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=sempervivum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sempervivum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Teucrium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=teucrium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Teucrium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Thymus\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=thymus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thymus<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Viola\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=viola\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Viola<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Certain\u00a0<strong>woody-stemmed perennials<\/strong>\u00a0are better left alone in the fall, and pruned back in the spring, leaving about 6 inches of woody stem for the new buds to appear from.\u00a0 These include:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Buddleia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=buddleia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buddleia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Caryopteris\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=caryopteris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caryopteris<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<a title=\"Erysimum Bowles Mauve\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/plants\/erysimum-bowles-mauve.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Erysimum<\/em>\u00a0&#8216;Bowles&#8217; Mauve&#8217;<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Fuchsia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=fuchsia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fuchsia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Hypericum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=hypericum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hypericum<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Lavatera\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=lavatera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lavatera<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Perovskia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=perovskia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Perovskia<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Russian Sage),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Phygelius\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=phygelius\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phygelius<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Santolina\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=santolina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Santolina<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>And, finally, certain perennials with associated\u00a0<strong>disease or insect<\/strong>\u00a0problems should\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">not only<\/span>\u00a0be cut back in the fall, but care should be taken to remove and destroy the leaf litter below them, where insects and pathogens may be hiding.\u00a0 Among these:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Hollyhock\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=hollyhock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alcea<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Hollyhocks),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Aquilegia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=aquilegia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aquilegia<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Columbine),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Crocosmia\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=crocosmia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Crocosmia<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Delphinium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=delphinium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Delphinium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Helenium\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=helenium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Helenium<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Heliopsis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=heliopsis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heliopsis<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Hemerocallis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=hemerocallis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hemerocallis<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Daylily),\u00a0<em><a title=\"Bearded Iris\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=bearded+iris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iris<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Bearded types, leave green leaves alone but remove all dead ones), true Lilies,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Monarda\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=monarda\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Monarda<\/a><\/em>, <a title=\"Peony\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=peony\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peonies<\/a>, <a title=\"Summer Phlox\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=summer+phlox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Summer Phlox<\/a>,\u00a0<em><a title=\"Tricyrtis\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=tricyrtis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tricyrtis<\/a><\/em>, and\u00a0<em><a title=\"Veronica\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=veronica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Veronica<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(tall types).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Late Fall mulching &#8211; do you need to bother?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the perennials in your garden are mostly things that are rated hardy for your region or colder, the expense, time and effort that goes into late fall mulching is hard to justify, in many cases.\u00a0 The idea of a mulch is to add a layer of insulation on top of the soil, preventing sudden changes in soil temperature (from either deep freezing OR thawing), changes that can wreak havoc to the root systems of tender plants.\u00a0 Regions with reliable snow cover already enjoy the advantages of a natural snow mulch &#8212; nature&#8217;s insulation.\u00a0 However, where snow is unreliable, a late fall mulch can help in certain cases.<\/p>\n<p>Consider trying it in these instances:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Autumn-flowering ornamental grasses, if you live in Zones 4, 5 or 6 and they were planted after the beginning of August.<\/li>\n<li>Japanese Anemones, if you live in Zones 4, 5, or 6 and they were planted after mid July.\u00a0 Probably only required for the first winter.<\/li>\n<li>You are trying to grow any perennials rated one or more Zones warmer than your region. e.g. you live in Zone 4 and are trying to grow a Zone 5 or 6 plant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mulching materials should be organic matter that remains loose and won&#8217;t pack down to suffocate your plants.\u00a0<strong>Good choices<\/strong>\u00a0might be dried leaves (a mix of different types is best &#8212; not too heavy on the maple leaves), clean straw, chopped dead tops from other perennials, evergreen boughs from pruning, marsh hay (lucky you, if you have it available!).<br \/>\n<strong>Bad choices<\/strong>: peat moss, garden soil, newspaper, sheets of plastic or garbage bags.\u00a0 All of these have a smothering capability.\u00a0 Some gardeners are also reporting good success using various foam products available for this at garden centers.<\/p>\n<p>Mulch can be simply piled high on top of your plants, but a depth of 6 to 8 inches or more is ideal.\u00a0 Those dandy mulch forms that are used on roses might be handy, or you can easily make your own cages from chicken wire.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A word about Hardy Mums<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hardy Mums &#8212; more aptly called\u00a0<strong>Garden Mums<\/strong>\u00a0these days, are something gardeners often ask us about. We thought it would be worth explaining a thing or two about the modern selection of\u00a0<em><a title=\"Chrysanthemum\" href=\"http:\/\/staging13.do180.com\/results.html?findplant=chrysanthemum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chrysanthemums<\/a><\/em>\u00a0and how they respond, so gardeners better understand them.<\/p>\n<p>Basically, Mums are mostly now being bred to produce exuberant cushions of stunning, glorious colour in the containers at the time you buy them.\u00a0 For the most part, they are being bred as a temporary holiday plant, to be enjoyed while in flower and then discarded afterwards.\u00a0 To be honest, the price of Mums in most regions makes this an affordable thing to do.<\/p>\n<p>The hassle of overwintering them and then pinching several times each season in future years (May through July) may not be worth the effort in the end.\u00a0 Mums need regular fertilizing, a full sun location, regular insect control, and constant watering through droughts in order to ever again achieve that perfect cushion look they had when you bought them.\u00a0 Without all of those things, more often than not they end up looking tall, spindly and bedraggled in their second season.\u00a0 Gardeners in northern regions may also find that their Mums never again flower before the frosts kill the buds.<\/p>\n<p>So&#8230; if you choose to give it a try, mulch your mums well after the ground freezes.\u00a0 Check them periodically in late winter and spring to make sure the frost has not heaved them from the ground, and press the rootball back in gently if it has.\u00a0 In spring, cut back the dead foliage and wait until about the end of May to see if they survived or not.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Need help with storing your tender bulbs?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here is a handy link with lots of details on how to go about\u00a0<a title=\"Storing tender bulbs \" href=\"http:\/\/gardening.about.com\/od\/floweringbulbs\/a\/StoringBulbs.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">storing those tender Summer-blooming bulbs<\/a>, like Dahlias, Cannas, Calla Lilies, etc.\u00a0 This links to lots of other bulb information as well, so it&#8217;s a handy resource for the perennial gardener!<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Moving or dividing perennials in the autumn is a great way to reduce your work next spring.\u00a0 The cool, moist weather is an ideal time for perennial roots to become well established, even in cold-winter regions. Gardeners often ask us when the best season is to move specific perennials, so we have a working &#8220;rule [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,94],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-perennials-101","category-seasonal-activities-through-the-year"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3979"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4189,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979\/revisions\/4189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}