Preparing Perennials for Winter
Preparing Your Perennial Garden for Winter
As the air turns crisp and frost settles in, it’s time to give your perennial garden a little end-of-season love.
Many plants are starting to fade, their once-bright blooms now wilted and brown, but don’t be too quick with the pruners! What looks “dead” may actually be part of nature’s plan for a cozy winter nap.
Let Some Perennials Stand
After a couple of hard frosts, most perennials begin to go dormant. You’ll notice the leaves changing color, drooping and drying out. While it might be tempting to cut everything down and tuck it all neatly under a layer of mulch, consider leaving some plants standing until spring.
Keep these beauties in tact for the winter:
- Ornamental Grasses – their feathery plumes add texture and movement to snowy landscapes.
- Coneflowers & Black-Eyed Susans – their seed heads feed hungry birds.
- Yarrow & Butterfly Bush – they’ll add structure and a touch of wild charm through the cold months.
Leaving these perennials intact creates winter interest and supports wildlife. It’s a win-win for both the gardener and garden!
When & How to Mulch
Hold off on mulching until after the ground freezes. Applying mulch too early can trap warmth and encourage plants to keep growing instead of resting. Once the soil is cold and firm, spread a 2–3 inch layer around your plants.
Mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture, keeping roots safe from freeze-thaw cycles. For plants that are borderline hardy, give them a little extra protection with leaf mulch or evergreen boughs.
Come spring, don’t forget to pull back the mulch so the soil can warm up and your plants can sprout freely.
What to Cut Back Now
Not all perennials need to stick around for winter. Some plants look tired by late fall and won’t add much visual interest. For these, go ahead and tidy things up!
Cut back near the ground:
- Hostas
- Delphinium
- Coreopsis
Be careful not to cut into any green growth near the base. That’s next year’s new growth! Remove all old foliage and debris to reduce the chance of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden beds.
Dreaming of Spring
While you’re out there cleaning up, think ahead to next year’s garden. Is there space to add new color or height? Maybe an area that could use a little more texture or earlier blooms? Mark those spots now so you’ll remember when planting time comes around.
Then, once everything’s tucked in and ready for its winter rest, grab a cozy blanket, sip something warm, and picture how beautiful your perennials will look when spring returns.
A little prep now means an even more vibrant garden next year. That’s something to dream about all winter long!