Cutting Back Perennials & Shrubs

TODAY’S VIDEO:
Spring is over and here comes summer full on. Now is the time to cut back, groom, and trim your perennials and shrubs that are done blooming. This video will show you how.
There are links for products in this video. I do receive a small commission if you purchase from any of the links. All of this helps to support the channel so I can continue to make great content so thank you in advance if you do make a purchase!!
To send any pictures - send to:
[e-mail]
Make sure pictures are in a Landscape Format
ABOUT ME: Hello, my name is Michelle and I own a garden center and floral store called The Landscape Connection. I am a volunteer master Gardener with the University of Illinois Extension. I am also a home gardener and a retired landscape designer and installer. If you like our videos please subscribe, like, share, and leave your comments and questions.
LINKS
Blogs:
trustedhousepl...
Facebook
/ thelandscapeconnection...
Website:
www.thelandsca...
The Landscape Connection Gift & Garden Center
4472 S. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, Illinois 61109
815-633-5100
Pictures courtesy of
www.walmart.com/

[@arlenetomasetti9325]

You know why I love your channel. You not only show us how to create a beautiful garden, but you show us how to actually take care of it. Most people don’t we get pretty walk-throughs, but nobody really shows us what it takes to keep it looking beautiful. Keep it up. Love your channel.❤

[@gardeningTLC]

Thanks

[@TruthSeekerHuman-je5pd]

Luv this gardening gal!

[@bloom-chirp]

Totally agree. It's so hard to cut things back, but this definitely gives me more confidence. Thanks.

[@debrawarrick2911]

Love the False Indigo. I live in Southeast MI and mine always grows back like a giant. It's a great easy care plant. Didn't realize so many things could be pruned back this time of the year. Thanks for sharing!

[@AgendaInMind]

I’m glad I watched this or else I would have never thought about cutting my 3 Baptisia back!

[@janettefisher256]

I have been cutting back perennials too , I decided if it doesn’t come back , it wasn’t meant to be 💚🏡

[@michellezentmyer4288]

Thank you for another great video and for inspiring me to get my lazy self and do some pruning🌸

[@nikkistewart6767]

I love watching your videos and have learned so much. I am a senior citizen and just started gardening when Covid hit. I recently moved into a home that has several plants that I am still trying to identify. I have what l think is a spirea that didn't bloom much this spring. I want to trim it back, but am not sure how much. Sorry for the long post, but was hoping for some help. This video was so helpful and I am not afraid to cut things back! Thanks.

[@chuckkolb1270]

Great advice but I still hesitate BUT I will. The staggered cut of the black-eyed susans is shear genius. Thanks for always beginning your videos with location and zone. I truly enjoy your videos because they are for the more ordinary home gardener. Your energy is admirable.

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@denisejackson5368]

The teacher comes when this student is ready! I’ve been so scared! This really helps

[@kellyn3363]

Another great informational video!!!! I am always looking forward to watching your new videos!!!! I am continuing learning from watching your channel!!! Thanks Michelle!!!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad to hear it!

[@loriswain8140]

Oh Michelle I love your energy and your positive attitude! We need to be neighbors! Haha Another great video.

[@annkendall528]

I know probably you don’t think you have one, but i like your style.

[@jeansandhoodiegardengal2975]

Perfect timing sista!!!!! I karate chopped 🤣😂 my salvias…..but now I’ve gotta get the catmint done ✔️ Thanks!! ❤️

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome

[@joycesharp3783]

Are you speaking Latin? 🤣 Love your videos! I’m pruning this weekend!! Can’t wait!

[@PeggyMills]

Excellent video and my third comment. Just love watching you, Michelle.

[@gardeningTLC]

Thank you so much!

[@meldog7925]

Do you have a video that explains, or can you tell me how you came to have your garden center? Im curious about your background. Thanks

[@gardeningTLC]

Maybe I will answer that in a garden gab....

[@PeggyMills]

You DID cut that baptisia back, Michele. Wow! Please show us when it flushes back out.

[@gardeningTLC]

I sure will

[@joandavis6107]

Thanks for sharing

[@darlabradham7452]

Glad I found your channel! You make everything look sooo easy!

[@gardeningTLC]

Welcome!!

[@قناةطبخالمغربيالاصيل]

مسيرة مزفقة🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾⚘️⚘️⚘️⚘️⚘️

[@jennifermitchell2493]

So helpful! I learned so much. Love your videos ❤

[@gardeningTLC]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Cmash5195]

Thanks for another great video. You always show us the “how to do it”, in easy to follow steps. Do you also cut back your spirea significantly or just the spent blooms? Thx!

[@gardeningTLC]

Just the blooms...

[@ozarkview928]

How old is that Baptisia ? I never seen one so big ! I have two and they only grow about three’ high by four’ wide at eight years old . Zone six .

[@gardeningTLC]

The one by the driveway is 5 yrs old and the other is 4

[@denisejackson5368]

Help … I’m scared again! What about yarrow? And hollyhocks?

[@klk12399]

This was so helpful and encouraging! Thank you!

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@dustyflats3832]

Love the turtles as I’ve mentioned before I just got fish. Never realized how cool they would look above foliage. Anyhow, in trimming a shrub like wigelia I haven’t done it for a few years. The last time I took all canes with Pom Poms to the ground. What happens is when I trimmed the ends only they produce a Pom Pom of twigs at the end and doesn’t look good in winter and it seemed to have dead twigs in those areas. After I took them out it really grew back full and now gives a lot of long lasting blooms. Not sure what the right way is to trim them, but as long as I have room I will leave it grow and just take only the very old canes to the ground. It’s so wet here I will need to wait to get back out there. Thx for the tips! 😂 I know, the hats are hot and I always have to wear a bandana or I can’t see with sweat on my glasses and eyes. Now with all the rain to keep mosquitoes and sun off my neck I up to Two bandanas-one to cover neck. 😂I bought a Veronica at year end sale once that looked gorgeous-went to plant it and there were No roots-zippo! Interesting about BES flowers, mine usually get mildew and I just get rid of them. The rain is causing fungus and think it will get worse. I have rust on hollyhocks and took most of the leaves out. Will try copper on them to see if it will stop. Had to thin anyways as they were crowding roses and hope the rust doesn’t affect them. Cleared out red poppies few weeks ago and good thing because it was trapping water and air-just too thick and after they bloom they look crappy. Waiting for it to dry out a bit here in WI just north of you so I can trim some vegetables up also. More rain for the 4th and Monday-Sigh! Wow, yes! the salvia need a haircut! Mine are doing exactly the same! Thanks Again! Lol, then you mention Bees! I’m trying to get my neighbors bees back as they absconded a couple times and I think he killed them a couple times by locking the hive in a garage overwinter 😮. So the last time my neighbor was out he said he had bees again but I haven’t seen many so hope they stayed.

[@monicarolnickelson3492]

Perfect timing for another great video! I have a bunch of different hydrangeas and can’t figure out when to prune them, so I’ve just left them alone. I’m off to search for a video you’ve done on pruning hydrangeas but if you haven’t done one, please do! Thanks Michelle!

[@PeggyMills]

Lorty 😁you and that salvia. I just got some from the clearance rack.

[@chuckkolb1270]

P.S. any advice for lavender?

[@gardeningTLC]

I harvest flowers only in the early am....they keep producing..I keep harvesting...

[@terrypauloregon]

Thanks Michelle.

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@tammiebeam507]

What about knock out roses. Half of the bush seem to be done for now and the other half of the bush is still bringing fresh blooms. I have several bushes right in front.

[@tammiebeam507]

Nevermind LOL, just watched the part about the knock out roses.

[@gardeningTLC]

I did knock out roses in the video.......

[@gardeningTLC]

If yours are 1/2 and 1/2 just cut off the spent blooms if you want.

[@darlenelegros4800]

Great video

[@gardeningTLC]

Thanks!

[@kimedge7493]

I do the "Chelsea Chop" or the "Wimbledon Whack". I just heard of the 'Hampton Hack' which apparently is cutting plants down to the ground in July. I've never done that one!

[@gardeningTLC]

Haha

[@carmenkuhn3865]

I struggle with this. I just last week cut back my annuals. My perennials are 1st and second year other than my daylilies. I’ve been selectively cutting them back. Learning. Does your outside temp make a difference? It’s 100 this week

[@gardeningTLC]

I try not to do it when it is that hot...keep them hydrated

[@judyanderson8782]

I have a baby's breathe bush that I didn't get pruned after it flowered. So now it's gigantic. When the weather cools a little, I'll take electric hedge trimmers to it. Usually I just shape it, but this time I think I'll take it down by 2/3. It probably won't give me blooms next spring, but maybe the next year. Got to do it.

[@gardeningTLC]

I miss the window on things too....life happens.

[@jeannesmith1761]

You're the one with 30 gardens at memorial Park in New Kensington PA but I can't believe how big that baptism is that's crazy okay I love watching your show thank you bye

[@gardeningTLC]

@@jeannesmith1761 not me....I am in Northern Illinois

[@Tibetan2]

Hi Michelle, my 30-yr old peony had a horrible case of powdery mildew this year. It happened right after the plant came into full bloom this spring. Should I cut it down to the ground now and treat the area with copper fungicide? Or should I wait until fall? Also is it too late to cut back a forsythia now in June? Thanks!

[@gardeningTLC]

I would remove foliage on peony...you still have time on the forsythia...it needs to be done within the next week or so though.

[@sunny45488]

thanks for all the tips specifically with the Lady"s Mantle. Maybe 3 Salvia and 3 Nepeta are too much of the same type of structure what if you moved 3 of one kind over behind the Ladys Mantle ?

[@gardeningTLC]

Maybe... was thinging of moving the nepeta....

[@marypalmer2088]

Thank you for the idea of those dead looking plants you can buy now, chop them! I love buying some sale plants, the more the merrier! Happy 4th to you and your family❤

[@gardeningTLC]

No ...lol...no dead plants...just plants where the flowers are done.

[@barbholte2146]

Michelle, I am new to your channel after a snow skiing accident and have been in recovery stages. I have been a faithful viewer of Garden Answers for several years. It has been so awesome to get another prospective on gardening! I truly appreciate your in depth detail on plants, and the fact that you concentrate on plants that are deer & rabbit resistant as I have"heavy" deer pressure. I know that it time consuming on your part, but please never change your style!

[@gardeningTLC]

Thank you. I watch Garden Answer too..love Laura.

[@hazelnorman8102]

What about cutting back daylilies? I hope it's good for them too because I already did it.

[@gardeningTLC]

Yup totally fine.

[@lanamolczyk5139]

Thanks for the pruning video - I need to get out there and do this to my plants also. What are your thoughts about feeding your perennials again, now at the time of cutback?

[@gardeningTLC]

You can..

[@user-wr7yl7xp8d]

You’ve inspired me to cut my yellow loosestrife back by half. I purchased a house in May and am slowly learning my gardens/plants. There is literally a 40 foot hedge of loosestrife at the back of the border garden (facing the street). It is glorious in bloom but not pretty at the moment. By the way, Home Depot has a 50% off sale on roses, shrubs, and trees. I’ve stocked up on some wonderful new plants. Now I’ll have to go back for the Knock out roses. Looked a little beaten up but now I know what to do with them. Thank you!

[@pattijacobs100]

Thank you! This is really helpful!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@empresskimberly4410]

What about lupine with the hollow stems? Please tell me I can cut those way back😅

[@gardeningTLC]

Cut the flower stalks off when done blooming

[@empresskimberly4410]

@@gardeningTLC thank you❤️

[@SharonHenscheid]

Thank you so much.. once again, great information 👍

[@gardeningTLC]

So nice of you