Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a green-thumb-in-training, you probably dream of having a beautiful garden that’s in full bloom through the warmest months of the year. While annuals can add a splash of color that lasts a single season, perennials offer a longstanding foundation that can flourish year after year. But to keep these plants performing at their best, regular maintenance is essential.
Pruning isn’t just about keeping up appearances—it helps increase light and air flow to the plants, encourages new growth, deters pests, and can boost flower production. With that in mind, here’s a guide to the ten perennials you should start pruning now to enjoy that continuous cascade of summer blooms.
1. Roses
Roses are quintessential to any summer garden, and timely pruning is crucial for ensuring an endless showcase of their beloved flowers. Start by removing any dead or diseased branches in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Then, just after the first bloom in summer, lightly prune for shape and remove any spent flowers to encourage a new flush of blooms.
2. Lavender
Lavender’s fragrant spikes are a favorite for gardeners and pollinators alike. To keep these plants vibrant, prune in early spring by cutting back about one-third of the growth. After lavender blooms in the summer, trim back lightly to encourage a tidy shape and possibly a second blooming period.
3. Catmint (Nepeta)
This hardy perennial demands little and gives a lot, with its continuous flowers and minty fragrance. To promote abundant flowering, cut back nepeta in the early spring, then again after its first bloom has faded to stimulate more blooms and maintain a compact form.
4. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
A native beauty that’s adaptable and drought-tolerant, echinacea is a summer staple. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, will keep these plants blooming all season. However, leaving some of the last blooms of the season can add winter interest and feed birds.
5. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Vibrant and full of life, bee balm attracts a dance of pollinators. To prepare these for a spectacular show, cut plants back to about a foot high in early spring. After the first flush of flowers fade, cut the plants back by one-third to encourage a second flowering period.
6. Salvia
Salvia can provide a pop of color throughout the summer if maintained properly. Trim salvia back in the spring to about 8 inches to promote bushy growth and more flowers. Deadheading throughout the season can also stimulate further blooms.
7. Phlox
Phlox come in towering varieties that can light up a garden. To keep these perfumed blooms coming, cut back the stems by a few inches in early spring. This pinching back helps prevent mildew and encourages a bushier growth and more robust bloom production.
8. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
While individual daylily flowers last only a day, these plants can bloom prolifically. Regularly remove spent flowers and stalks to keep the plants looking tidy and to encourage more blooms. In spring, divide clumps of daylilies to rejuvenate them and promote flowering.
9. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Fall may be their time to shine, but sedum benefits from spring attention too. Trim back sedum in early spring when you see new growth at the base. This encourages a sturdier, more upright growth that will prevent the plants from splaying in the summer.
10. Shasta Daisies
For classic and cheerful flowers, Shasta daisies are a go-to perennial. Prune them in early spring, removing dead or weak stems to the base to promote strong new growth. After the first bloom, deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second wave of blooms.
Pruning isn’t merely a gardening chore; it’s a vital practice that rejuvenates your plants and keeps your garden in a state of lush and vibrant growth. Get those pruning shears ready, and your garden will be thanking you with endless blooms that herald the joy of summer.
