Why I Am Pruning Perennials in Full Bloom | Gardening with Creekside

Why in the world am I pruning perennials that are in full bloom at the end of summer? It may seem like it is a very strange action to take as a gardener, but it is what is best for these echinaceas & agastaches that were planted this spring.
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[@susanhaggett9511]

In Charlotte for the birth of our grandchild and made a trip out to Creekside Nursery as we were helping do some landscaping for our daughter and son-in-law….a trip to the nursery has been on my “must do” list for a long time. It was so fun to see everything I’ve seen on this channel for so long. I didn’t get to meet Jenny and Jerry, BUT they happened to be sitting on their porch in the background of one of the photos we took, so maybe that counts. 😂. Driving back to NY today and am so glad I got a few pics at the nursery (including this berm) and added a perennial from Creekside to our daughter’s front yard. I’m a big fan of this channel and loved browsing the nursery!

[@ItsMeRodia]

Okay…not gonna lie. I literally screamed out loud when you cut that agastache to the ground like that. I was NOT ready! 😱😳 Even Brynna was like “MOM! REALLY?!” 😂

[@sandistolle4874]

Just imagine how these plants will look next season! 👏

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Exactly!!!

[@jaleinegreen7411]

I have to admit… A tiny part of me was crying inside when you cut back the echinaceas and the agastache, but the rewards will be so worth it, and you will be blessed with a newly reinvigorated beautiful plant🙏🏼 thanks, Jenny, for sharing this with us! Much love from 9A❣️

[@msmaddox2918]

I had no idea about cutting back the Agastache before winter! I didn't do that last year and some of them didn't survive. Thanks Jenny! 😊

[@LetsGardenYall]

You’ve helped me learn so much over the past few growing seasons. I never thought to prune or cut off the new blooms on first year plants to help the roots developed. Thank you for the tip & I’ve added to next weeks list ❤

[@CrazyCatLady1968]

The people at work are going to lose their minds when I go out & cut back the newly planted echinacea … “What is she up to NOW?” 😁

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

😂

[@mrs.m4702]

Hello, Jenny❤. This was very helpful for me…I’m ready to get busy constructively cutting back:-). Question…I have beautiful lemon coral sedum in the ground and it has had tremendous growth! Do you have any recommendations for cutting it back? As always, much appreciation for all that you do!❤

[@mrs.m4702]

Thank you!

[@mariay.279]

Thx Jenny. ENJOY UR TIME TOGETHER.

[@85IMB]

The agastache cutback hurt my feelings. 😂. Going to add them to my garden and appreciate this information to have good success. Thanks!

[@stevemiller7949]

I trust what Jenny says. As a long term gardener, and tree advocate, I can testify that all of us are on the frontier of plant knowledge. We should be encouraging the expansion of plant science. This will benefit everyone. Einstein said " The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know." There is so much more value in honest error and dead ends than the smug satisfaction of never taking an exploratory risk.

[@mattd4070]

Doesn't it feel so good to tidy up a garden space? I agree with everything you taught today, we're doing these things for long term...❤❤

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

It really is! Mama & I cleaned up the Forest Pansy bed after this project, and I can breathe so much easier now 😁

[@doreen9838]

Brenna was having so much fun!!!! Bless her heart!! I’ve started cutting back yarrow

[@suzettebergeron484]

Got my cutters out before the video was over! You've never steered me wrong Jenny! 😊❤

[@sarahdonnelly4904]

Oh gosh in my head I didn't picture cutting it back that far. Then that first cut ! 😮 I was like, woa! But I bet next spring these plants will be gorgeous !!🌼❤

[@marilynbaldwin2934]

Enjoy your mom and daughter day! I berm still looks beautiful!

[@shelleygeary3205]

Thank you for sharing and showing us the process. I'm in SoCal and have learned so much about caring for my garden from you. I really appreciate it ❤

[@davemarilynhughston7370]

Jenny you make me laugh when you are cutting your flowers. Definitely a Mortician Addams moment from the Addams Family Show! 🤣🤣

[@heartnurse0900]

I'm having trouble watching this happen... my eye started to twitch... had to stop and go back to it...😅😢😂 I will try to do this (while apologizing the whole time) to my plants which need it... tomorrow... yeah, tomorrow.

[@litocarandang4514]

so i learned something this pm.........will do the same with some of my perennials......thanks for sharing.

[@kp-gbuniqueinterest]

Well thanks Jenny. I just planted many of those this year and now i need to cut them, so sad. I wish you were my mom. Every time I call my mom she doesn't pick up. But when she calls me she wont stop until I pick up. You actually stop the camera to talk to your kids. Good mom.

[@naturegirl7777]

...how many of us share the joy and sheer glee of finally not sweating?! 🙋🏼‍♀️🥵 Windows are open, and I can hear all the beautiful sounds of garden life. 🐦🦗🐝 I have some first-year echinaceas that will kill me to go out and trim them off today...the goldfinches are coming in with their beautiful voices, and I know what they're after. I'll follow your advice tho'. 🥴 Enjoy a beautiful day with beloved (albeit obscure) MiMi. (I'm a behind-the-scenes kind of girl too. 🙃) 👩🏼‍🌾💚 =^..^= [MD 6b]

[@bethheerten1132]

Maybe you could hang the cut Echinacea blooms somewhere for the goldfinches to enjoy.

[@naturegirl7777]

@@bethheerten1132 ...OMGoodness, why didn't I think of that?! I j-u-s-t gathered them up about 30 minutes ago...I can hang them from my clothesline post! Great idea! Thank you! 👌😉👩🏼‍🌾💚 =^..^=

[@callison2138]

Pleasant and informative video. A little painful making that drastic cut with all the pollinators around but they have other sources. Hope you had a great time with your Mom. Thanks for sharing the information.

[@JRP58]

I just went out and pruned blooms and buds off my first year echinacea. Thank you for the tip, it makes total sense.

[@PeggyMills]

Good information that I didn’t know, Jenny. Got some work to do too. Thank you for being such a good teacher.

[@wendyblackos3733]

Thank you for the helpful info! I've got it on my list for tomorrow. And yes it's going to hurt...

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

You got this!

[@christytrunko6970]

Thank you for all the good tips!

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

You are so welcome!

[@GardenSanity]

Oh my Jenny -- I am so glad I watched this video -- even though it was hard to see those beautiful flowers coming off! 😮 But -- I learned something new, so thank you! 💛Now I need to get up the courage to cut my gorgeous agastache down, as this is their first year in the ground for me too. And they are blooming soooooo wonderfully right now. But I keep telling myself if you did it, and your Walters Gardens rep suggested it -- then I need to just go for it. Wish me luck!

[@rachelstallings3428]

Just planted 5 coneflower/echinachea for fall color ......and so also bought some blue fortune agastache and planted now what? Can't it wait......???? Thanks so much watch all your videos ❤❤😊😊

[@user-cp5ht1th6i]

Thank you for the great tip makes sense to prune back. The berm garden is looking beautiful.

[@gardeningonthewestforkwith8994]

I love this info. Makes great sense and good success for every season from now on!!

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

So glad it was helpful!

[@eileenchang2173]

It’s interesting because one would think one lets the leaves remain (especially the agastache) to gather energy just as a bulb or corm does.🌸❤️🇨🇦

[@lindabenford7134]

I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow, cutting back my echinacea, recently planted agastache and my Bastisia. Thank you for the tips 😁

[@gracefulgrowing144]

Doesn't it feel good to have it all tidied up❤❤

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Yes it does!!!

[@pamulapowell3951]

So gorgeous! Enjoy ur mom 😊

[@patjackson3506]

I love learning from your channel!

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

I'm so glad!

[@cece_marie]

Thank you Kata for this sage 😂 advice! Health > beauty I call this Morticia Addams gardening when I cut off all the blooms off my annuals when first planting them. Maybe that will make it easier to chop my beautiful Blue Fortune this weekend.

[@kellyclackum1310]

Jenny you are a hoot!

[@kristantaylor1087]

Hope you made a bouquet for the house out of the still good blooms.

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

I sure did!

[@terrycourtney8011]

Great job! Looking good!😊

[@Cynthia-zz1vi]

Looks nice and clean

[@Blake.Cooper]

I am zone 6b in south central Kentucky. I have several Lo and Behold Purple Haze I planted back in May. Should I prune before winter? Love y'all Jenny!!

[@shirleyc7175]

Thanks for all the info👍

[@lisagoggin8021]

Love this type of video….going out to prune my echinacea….learning something new.

[@nancypatterson374]

Tell Mimi hello, enjoy your time together! Miss mine everyday ❤️

[@maureenmckenna5220]

This makes perfect sense for a first year plant. Heartbreaking but worth it.

[@mygardenpoint8037]

Thank you for the great tips 👌 makes sense to prune back ❤ garden 🌿🌿 is looking beautiful 👍

[@chrisrfan]

Thanks so much for this great tip! What about echinacea and agastache that have been in the ground for a couple of years and seem to be on the struggle bus? Would it be beneficial to cut those back at this time too? What damage am I doing if I cut back perennials now that are more than a year old?

[@krisleonard1428]

Have fun with your mom! Great day with her for sure!

[@jodip719]

Thank you for this great knowledge! I have about 200 plants I put in the ground this year in roughly 500ft of flower bed. I have loads of echinacea and many other types as well. Are there any other perennials you would recommend pruning like this?

[@judyanderson8782]

I'd like to know if you're suppose to prune black eyes susan, Speedwell, peony, azalea, and salvia. They were all planted this year in a new bed.

[@AttnDefDis_]

It's videos like this that make me wonder how this works in my zone 5. Also, why not let them cycle out and cut them back before winter? Are they evergreen where you are?

[@ruthjohnson6369]

If pruning is best pruning it shall be! The beauty that will result is motivation enough for me.

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

My thoughts exactly!

[@laurenwellman2516]

I haven’t had to worry too much about cutting back my echinacea as the rabbits have already done it for me 😂😞

[@TonyaA7]

Them hibiscus are beautiful

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jenny. 🍁🍂🍁💚🙃

[@robinbirdd3]

Since salvia's are cousin's to the Agastache, should we cut them back too? What about the Agastache in pots, should we cut them back as well? I live in North Texas Dallas Ft.Worth area zone 8 and would love the Agastache comeback next year in my pots. Thank you for always teaching and sharing ❤❤❤❤💕

[@gwynethgaspari6255]

Oh man that hurt. Cut back my first year agastache.

[@terresiagregg9326]

Awesome video Jenny thanks for sharing

[@janettefisher256]

Thank you for sharing the information !!!!

[@lizmerritt2148]

Time to go trim my echinacea .Thanks for the tips

[@lauravandien2363]

Dang-that hurt to watch😂. Thanks for that tip-that totally makes good sense!

[@juliabinford6500]

Slightly confused about the role of foliage for root growth. I thought the plant needed foliage for photosynthesis to store up energy. I guess I’m thinking of bulbs storing up energy from foliage. I didn’t know you could cut back agastache before the foliage dies on its own. Would you have done this right after planting it if you had known to?

[@anitahadley2871]

Just wondering why you didn’t leave some of the foliage on the agastache like you did with the echinacea? I’m sure you made a lovely bouquet for both you and your mom!

[@patydiez]

excellent garden education. thanks

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Our pleasure!

[@Becky-rg5gr]

Thanks for this video! I was looking at my new this year (I can’t t spell it 😂) and was wondering if I should cut it back…..now I know 😊

[@kathystafford6668]

Hi Jenny , my daughter lives in N.C. and her Hydrangeas are so burnt they are ever blooming how should she trim or cut back? Thank you for your help , they look awful !

[@SusanschneiderVirginia]

I hate to disagree but seems the plant has already put the energy into producing the flowers. I always read cut the buds off so the plant will put energy into root production. Waiting for them to flower is a new one, but time will tell. It may be the greatest tip ever.

[@juliafiore120]

Good morning, Jenny ☕️ I totally understand why you did what you did however, I think I would’ve spread the Ecihinacea seed heads on the ground in hopes of them spreading. I know you have an ample supply but, do you think that would work for us people who don’t? Have a Blessed Day 😊🐶

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

I appreciate your way of thinking but these plants are sterile.

[@juliafiore120]

@@GardeningwithCreekside ahha. Makes sense 🙂

[@pamelamoore7354]

Hey Jenny, what about the phantom hydrangeas you planted last year? Would love to get an update on those. Loving the berm!

[@TrowelandError]

Great info as always Jenny! Should this happen with ALL 1st year perennials (hydrangea, hibiscus, salvia, nepeta, etc)? Or is there a reason it's only for coneflower and agastache? We planted several new perennial gardens this summer and want to ensure it's healthy return next year! 😊

[@cjmccann8544]

She said that those 2 plants have tap roots. The other plants you mentioned don't have tap roots.

[@litocarandang4514]

are u in Greenville or Dallas (it says 8 hrs ago Dallas), since those trees looks like growing here in Greenville. u have a very beautiful garden...........lots of work.

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

We are located in Dallas, NC

[@dianelarwood597]

So I should thank the rabbits that pruned them for me. 😂

[@grantsh0e]

Very nice info. I went out to cut my echinacea right away lol! Just wondering about the agastache, how come it doesnt need foilage to help absorb energy and stuff like other plants? Sorry im new to all this haha

[@Sawyeradventurestheworld763]

Oh I didn’t know this! I live in zone 6b, if I do this now is it possible the flowers will try to bloom again before they go dormant? Or should I wait a little later in the season?

[@kathy5216]

Glad to have this timely direction…had cut back my large yellow false indigo …will do the new purple one this week…what about crispy clematis?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

It depends on what type of clematis and how it blooms (old growth vs new growth)

[@kathy5216]

New growth

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

@@kathy5216 then you can go ahead and prune it

[@heathermcelroy7171]

I understand its for root growth. But to clarify is the root growth excellerated because the soil is warmer and that's why it's better to do now vs further into fall?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Correct. Echinacea & agastache grow most actively in warmer temperatures so you want to cut them now while it is still warm and their roots can develop faster since that is where the energy will be going (as opposed to putting energy into flowers).

[@heathermcelroy7171]

@@GardeningwithCreekside thanks for sharing and teaching us!

[@terrivance8750]

I have one thing to say: 😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯!!!

[@jann6082]

Jenny, berm is gorgeous! Do you have deer issues? If so what’s your solution? I don’t think I’ve heard you address this before.

[@lynneriley7801]

How late in the season can I cut back my echinacea? I am putting in a new bed and don't have it in the ground yet.....

[@karenmassey925]

Should I do this with baptisia?

[@margieanne9328]

I have a question if i live in pa.also i just planted my coneflowers yesterday should i take all the flowers off or is that just for warm winter areas?

[@dorindajenkins7825]

🙋

[@bettyjocohagen7955]

I know you said your mom and dad live right next to yall. I was just curious I see you planting flowers all the time but do you have a vegetable garden? And do y’all can? And does proven winners do vegetables?/

[@MrsTitina]

It was painful 😣

[@mealeaFlowers]

Hi fan 😊😊😊😊😊

[@rosesgardentime]

I have planted multiple limelight hydrangea this year… should i take the blooms off since it’s their first year as well??

[@wendyostlund3482]

What should I do if I forgot to add Biotone at time of planting a podocarpus?

[@deeleo2495]

Thanks for the info! Does this apply to plants you have transplanted into a new location this year as well?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

I would treat them the same way. That way they can send out new roots for this upcoming season.

[@lisahostetler7053]

I have just ordered perennials to plant this fall yet. Same zone as Creekside, in upstate SC. I have 2 different varieties of agastache... do I plant and prune them at the same time? Or should I just focus on planting them, adding in Biotone of course 💕

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

I would plant with Bio-tone and prune all of the flowers off at the time of planting.

[@deenagonzales8006]

Would summer phlox that is struggling or gangly benefit from this type of pruning?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

It will!

[@susans5096]

Do you carry peonies?

[@deborahgraham1382]

I live in zone 6a. Are the pruning practices for perennials the same as your zone?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Yes

[@lilyw.1788]

Will this be the same practice for zone 5b?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

Yes

[@barbaradillard1424]

Why don't you show the dahlias?

[@GardeningwithCreekside]

We simply haven't done a dahlia video in awhile as life has been a bit busy. We are going to do a fall garden tour & I'll show them then.

[@deanncampbell3437]

What magazines did you say you buy

[@Michellemybelle1996]

I think she mentioned Garden Gate and Fine Gardening. These are the only 2 I also subscribe to- I’ve been getting Fine Gardening for many years and keep them to refer back during the long cold winter in MI. Great information but pricey subscription- I buy 3 yrs to save the most $.

[@dmbalsam]

Should you fertilize your perennials in the fall?

[@jennetteojeda5792]

💖👍🏻💖

[@marleneegan-hm7lr]

I didn’t think I was going to be affected by seeing this, I was wrong 🫣I had been told to leave foliage alone to protect the bottom of the plant from freezing. Maybe that’s just for tender perennials like sub tropical?