In My Garden: The Benefits of Pruning Perennials in Spring vs Fall

I should know better, I really should.  But sometimes a girl can’t help it and she needs to get out and play in the dirt.  Despite the 38 degree temperatures and the promise of snow in the 4 day forecast.  The sun started shining, breaking through the clouds and the gray inversion choking our little valley along the Wasatch mountain range and I couldn’t help but grab my pruners and head outside.

It was a little optimistic, I know, to be outside in January.  So I told myself I was just doing a garden inventory and beginning some spring cleanup a little early.  Honestly, the little bit of sun felt like heaven and walking around my yard touching brittle winter branches and considering this year’s planting plans was more than a breath of fresh air.  I began clipping back some spent salvia stems when I came across this…….

That’s new growth! Tender little leaves peaking out from the frozen ground, beginning their stretch towards sunlight.  In that moment I felt completely justified in my optimism and I began cutting back with more vigor, searching for more signs of spring.

My shasta daisies had begin peeking through the soil as well.

I also found a little patch of larkspur that had taken upon themselves to begin sprouting. I’m so proud of those little guys.

Mid-January yardwork continued until the sun was too low {only 5:30} and the shadows made it impossible to remain outside.  I returned back inside with a new hope that snow and icy winds couldn’t continue forever, and that soon I’d be outside again, pulling weeds and deadheading in the sunshine.

There are soooooo many reasons why it’s a great idea to leave your perennial pruning until spring.  In the past I’d been a fan of the fall cleanup, cutting back all my perennials while I removed leaves and tore out my tomatoes. It just seemed like the tidy thing to do. But this fall changed all that.  Some severe morning sickness with my second pregnancy ensured that fall yard work would be kept to a minimum.  Over the past few months though I’ve been surprised to find how much I enjoyed having a little winter structure in my yard.  Seriously, I never knew what I was missing by cutting my perennial stems in the fall.

The seed heads of my rudbeckias and coneflowers added unique architecture to my yard in the snowy months that followed.  My Russian sage’s pale stems turned a silvery white and appeared majestic as they supported snow.  but I think my favorite winter surprise was my maiden grass.  The arching blades and seed heads added beautiful texture, working with the backdrop of my red brick and dark evergreen photinias to create awesome winter interest for what could have been a boring front yard.

In addition to visual interest, leaving perennial stems until spring pruning has environmental pluses too.  Seed heads remain available for birds to eat all winter, and stems provide a haven for insects during cold winter months.  Plus it gives us gardeners some early spring work to look forward too.  And lets not forget that leaving seedheads untouched allows the seeds to mature and disperse upping your chances for volunteers seedlings popping up.

Leave you’re perennials around until spring and you’ll have a reason to put on a jacket, grab a pair of pruners, and trim back your stems to find the very first signs of spring.  There isn’t a better way to start off the new year