Bee Balm
Some gardeners prefer not to prune theirbee balm(Monardaspp.)
plants because birds and other wildlife oftenfeed on the seeds in winter.
Don’t compost diseased foliage.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Blazing Star
Blazing star(Liatrisspp.)
Catmint
The long stems oncatmint(Nepetaspp.)
often flop over toward the end of the growing season, making garden beds look unkempt in winter.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Daylilies
Daylilies(Hemerocallisspp.)
generally bloom throughout summer, although there are a few cultivars that can continue to flower into fall.
Garden Phlox
Carson Downing
Powdery mildew is often a problem forgarden phlox(Phlox paniculata).
Credit: Edward Gohlich
This includes burning affected plant parts or bagging them and throwing them in the trash.
Hostas
Blaine Moats
Hostas(Hostaspp.)
are commonly grown in shade gardens and their easy-going nature makes them top plant picks for beginning gardeners.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
However, hostas are oftenplagued by slugsand snails during the growing season.
These pesky critters then lay their eggs in hosta foliage during autumn.
Irises
Like daylilies and blazing star,irises(Irisspp.)
Credit:Carson Downing
can look bedraggled by the end of the season and their leaves often become mushy after frost arrives.
Lavender
Matthew Benson
Lavender(Lavandulaspp.)
Lilies
Laurie Black
True lilies(Liliumspp.)
Credit:Blaine Moats
benefit from being cut back in fall.
Instead, wait until frost arrives and yourlilies naturally die backto bring out your pruning shears.
Peonies
Peonies (Paeoniaspp.)
Credit: Robert Cardillo
Cut peonies back in fall to prevent powdery mildew spores from overwintering and reemerging in your spring garden.
So deadhead spent blooms and cut blanket flower plants back before winter to keep the plant healthy.
Salvia
Unlike the annual cultivars,perennial salvia varietiescome back every year in the right conditions.
Credit:Matthew Benson
Pruning them in fall also helps prevent them from developing woody stems.
Credit:Laurie Black
Credit: Karla Conrad
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Credit: Blaine Moats
