As the days grow shorter and the crisp mountain air settles in, many of us in Asheville and the WNC region turn our attention to fall garden clean-up. One of the biggest questions we hear this time of year: “Should I be cutting back my perennials now?”
The answer is… It depends! We’ll clear it all up, taking a look at what to cut, when to wait, and how to approach fall clean-up with both your plants and pollinators in mind.
Herbaceous peonies grow roots, crowns and buds during the spring and summer, only to die to the ground in late fall and remain dormant through the winter season. But they can live for more than 100 years!
First, What Exactly Is a Perennial?
When gardeners talk about “perennials,” they’re usually referring to herbaceous perennials, the plants that die back to the ground each winter and come back up in spring. Think of your echinacea, columbine, yarrow, hostas, anemones, iris, and peonies. These are the “fluff and stuff” in your flower beds, the showy, seasonal stars that return year after year.
And, yes, technically shrubs and trees are perennials, too, but when we say “cutting back perennials in fall,” we’re not talking about pruning your hydrangeas—we’re talking about the soft, leafy plants that go dormant in cold weather.
Some ornamental grasses can have sharp edges, so wear gloves and cut carefully. You can trim about two-thirds of the plant back. The cuttings are good for the compost pile!
Why Do We Cut Back Perennials in Fall?
There are a few good reasons to do some tidy-up work in the fall:
- It’s easier now than in spring. Grasses and perennials are easier to cut back when they’re dry and dormant. Once new growth starts emerging in spring, it becomes difficult—and sometimes damaging—to remove the old material.
- You’ll reduce pests and diseases. Dead and decaying foliage can harbor fungal spores, insect eggs, and disease, all of which can overwinter and cause problems next year. Cleaning up now helps keep your garden healthy.
- It gives you a jump on next season. Clearing out the beds in fall opens up space for dividing overcrowded perennials or prepping for late-season planting, such as garlic, bulbs, and cold-hardy greens. By the way, here’s how to divide your perennials. Another handy tool is this chart so you’ll know when to divide specific perennials.
Echinacea (coneflower) seed heads are beautiful in the winter garden, especially with a little frost on them. Goldfinches, juncos, and other birds feed on these seed heads all season.
Not Everything Needs to Be Cut Back
If you love watching goldfinches pick seeds from dried coneflowers or want to support native bees, consider leaving some perennials standing through the winter.
Here are a few that do double-duty as both garden interest and wildlife habitat:
- Echinacea (coneflower) – seed heads feed birds
- Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans) – loved by finches
- Joe Pye weed – tall structure and pollinator favorite
- Agastache, liatris, poppies, and asters – winter beauty and shelter for insects
Also, ornamental grasses like switchgrass or little bluestem sway beautifully in the winter wind and offer shelter for overwintering pollinators.
If you can bear a bit of messiness, your garden will thank you—and so will the birds and bees.
Fall’s first freeze has killed these hosta leaves. Trim them back to prevent disease, insects and slugs from hiding out in your plants during the winter.
What to Clean Up Now
- Diseased plants: Any foliage that showed signs of powdery mildew, leaf spot, or pest infestation should be removed and disposed of—not composted.
- Slimy or mushy foliage: Once frost has truly zapped your plants, they’re dormant and ready for clean-up.
- Plants that flop and mat down: These can smother new growth if left in place.
This Japanese spirea is ready to be pruned! It blooms on new wood, so severe pruning in the fall or winter, cutting each stem back closer to the ground, is important. You’ll be rewarded with new stems and lots of beautiful blossoms.
How to Cut Back Perennials
Ready to get to work? Here’s how to cut back with confidence:
- Wait until after a few hard frosts. Once your perennials are fully dormant, it’s safe to remove their above-ground parts.
- Use clean, sharp pruners or shears. This helps prevent the spread of disease.
- Cut back to just above the crown (the base where stems meet roots). This often means cutting down to one or two inches above the soil.
- Don’t worry, it looks drastic, but your plants aren’t dead! They’re just resting, and they’ll be back stronger in the spring.
Work smarter, not harder! This simple tool, a dibber (or dibbler) can help you easily make holes at the proper depth for planting seeds.
Bonus Tip: Tools for a Fall Garden Refresh
If you’re already out in the garden cutting back and cleaning up, now is a great time to start or expand a fall vegetable garden, too! Here are a few tools and ideas to get you growing:
- Be a dibbler. A dibber (or dibbler) is a simple but oh-so-helpful tool for planting seeds, bulbs, and transplants. It creates uniform holes at the right depth in beds, raised beds, and containers, super helpful for planting garlic and cool-season crops!
- Slice through roots with ease. The Root Slayer Trowel is your go-to for tough digging and dividing perennials. With its carbon steel blade, it cuts cleanly through roots and compacted soil, perfect for fall garden clean-up and planting.
- Start seeds in CowPots®. These biodegradable pots are made from composted cow manure and recycled materials. No plastic, no peat, just a smart, sustainable way to start your seeds or garlic cloves. Once in the ground, CowPots® break down naturally, letting roots grow freely.
Fall Gardening with a Purpose
Whether you’re tidying up your borders, starting a late-season veggie patch, or just savoring the slower pace of the season, fall is the perfect time to think about your garden’s bigger picture. Your actions now help set the stage for a healthier, more beautiful spring.
So take a walk through your garden, pruners in hand. Decide what to cut back and what to leave for wildlife. Divide a few overgrown perennials, plant some garlic, and maybe start a tray of kale in biodegradable pots.
You’re not just cleaning up, you’re cultivating the next season.
Need help identifying which plants to cut back or keep standing? Stop by the garden center or bring us a photo; we’re always happy to talk fall gardening!
