cutting off perennials after end of season

 We have a great deal of perennials throughout our property (Regina,
Saskatchewan).

1) Should we cut off the season's growth to the ground before winter comes?

2) Does the answer to #1 vary with species of perennial?

3) Does leaving the top on promote fungus growth?

Cory
Regina. Saskatchewan, Canada

 

Cory Lechner wrote:


There is really no right or wrong answer to this question - it depends on your
climate and preference. Many folks do a routine clean-up of their garden each
fall to ready it for winter that includes cutting back all herbaceous
perennials. Others leave selected plants as is over winter, either because they
offer late season attraction (sedum seedheads look great dusted with frost or
snow) or because they offer fodder to local wildlife. If you live in a hard
winter climate (I'm pretty sure Saskatchewan would qualify :-)), there is the
likelihood that leaving foliage intact over the winter will offer additional
winter protection to the root crown. This can lead to hiding places for
overwintering insects and diseases - depends on whether or not they are a big
problem in your area. You can always cut back and then mulch to get the same or
even superior winter protection.

pam - gardengal

 Pam wrote:


The other reason I wait till spring to do clean-up is because I don't
always remember where exactly I planted something, and especially if it
is late to come up in spring, might decide to plant something else in
that spot.

Suja

 

additional

same or

Excellent advice - been there, done that. As an ammendment to your
suggestions, I found it usually paid to cut back and remove/destroy dead
plant material from perennials and replace its winter protection with red
pine or white pine needles (pine straw) in zone 3. It really cut down on
over-wintering diseases and bugs. I used plant stakes to identify where
perennials "should" sprout in the spring. They didn't always survive open
winters. :(

John

John

 Hi!
I always clean up my perennials in fall, depending on how they look,
especially if there are plants that tend to spread. In fact i'm thinking in
the next couple of weeks starting on mine.
Peppergirl
http://hotcuisine.esmartweb.com/