How (and Why) to Cut Back Some Perennials in Autumn
- info673
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
By the time October rolls around, many herbaceous perennials start to fade and collapse. While it can be tempting to cut everything back for a tidy garden, the smartest approach is more selective. Some plants benefit from being cut down in autumn, while others are best left standing to provide food, shelter, and structure through the colder months.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you know what to cut, what to leave, and how to do it in a wildlife-friendly way.
Tools You’ll Need
Sharp secateurs or loppers
Gardening gloves
A rake or garden fork
Wheelbarrow, trug, or compost bags
Mulch or leaf mould (optional)
Step 1: Identify Which Plants to Cut (and Which to Leave)
Cut back: hostas, peonies, and herbaceous phlox. These plants’ foliage naturally dies back and cutting helps prevent disease.
Leave standing: echinacea, teasels, sedums, and ornamental grasses. Their seedheads feed birds and their dried stems add beauty and texture to the winter garden.
Step 2: Check for Wildlife
Before you begin, gently look through leaf piles and clumps of foliage. Hedgehogs, insects, and other creatures may already be using the debris for shelter. If you spot signs of wildlife, skip that section and return in late winter or early spring.
Step 3: Cut Back the Right Plants
Wait until the foliage has turned brown and collapsed.
Cut stems down to just above soil level (about 2–3 cm).
Remove all dead material from around the crown to reduce pests and fungal problems.
Step 4: Leave the Rest for Winter Interest
Plants with strong stems and seedheads can be left untouched until spring. Echinacea cones, sedum clusters, and the upright skeletons of grasses look stunning frosted and provide food and habitat for birds and insects.
Step 5: Deal With the Cuttings
Add healthy, disease-free material to your compost.
Bag and remove any diseased foliage — don’t put it in home compost where pathogens can linger.
Rake gently around the crowns but don’t over-tidy. Leaving some debris in a corner creates shelter for hedgehogs and overwintering insects.
Step 6: Mulch Lightly (Optional)
Spread a thin layer of compost, leaf mould, or mulch around plant crowns to help protect roots over winter. Avoid burying crowns like peonies, which can rot if smothered.
Why Not Cut Everything?
For the wildlife: Birds enjoy the seeds, and insects and hedgehogs benefit from the shelter.
For the beauty: Frosted seedheads and dried grasses add interest when most of the garden is bare.
For the soil: Leaving some organic matter helps protect the ground from erosion and feeds it as it breaks down.
Final Thoughts
Cutting back perennials doesn’t have to mean stripping the garden bare. By choosing a selective approach, you’ll keep things tidy enough while supporting biodiversity and enjoying a more interesting winter landscape. Think of it as gardening for both people and wildlife. 🌿✨
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