12 Plants You Should Never Cut Back in Fall
Fall can be a tempting time to tidy up the garden, but some plants should be left alone. Pruning them in the fall can harm their growth or reduce their blooms the following year. Here are 12 plants to avoid cutting back in fall:
Flowering Shrubs
* Rhododendrons and Azaleas: These shrubs bloom on old wood (last year’s growth). Pruning them in fall will remove next year’s flower buds.
* Hydrangeas (Oakleaf, Bigleaf, Mountain): Similar to rhododendrons and azaleas, these hydrangeas bloom on old wood.
* Flowering Fruit Trees: Pruning fruit trees in fall can reduce fruit production the following year.
Perennial Flowers
* Peonies: Peonies set their flower buds for the following year in late summer. Pruning them now would remove these buds.
* Daylilies: These perennials bloom on scapes that grow from the base of the plant. Pruning them in fall would remove next year’s scapes.
Evergreens
* Yews: These evergreen shrubs can be damaged by fall pruning, especially if the weather turns cold.
* Boxwoods: Pruning boxwoods in fall can lead to dieback and unsightly growth.
Other Plants
* Oak Trees: Pruning oaks in fall can increase the risk of oak wilt, a fungal disease.
* Roses: While some roses can be pruned in fall, it’s generally best to wait until late winter or early spring.
* Lavender: Lavender blooms on new growth, so pruning it in fall will not affect next year’s blooms. However, it’s best to wait until spring to shape the plant.
Remember: The best time to prune a plant depends on its specific needs and your climate. If you’re unsure about when to prune a particular plant, it’s always best to consult a local gardening expert or reference a reliable gardening resource.
Fall can be a tempting time to tidy up the garden, but some plants should be left alone. Pruning them in the fall can harm their growth or reduce their blooms the following year. Here are 12 plants to avoid cutting back in fall:
Flowering Shrubs
* Rhododendrons and Azaleas: These shrubs bloom on old wood (last year’s growth). Pruning them in fall will remove next year’s flower buds.
* Hydrangeas (Oakleaf, Bigleaf, Mountain): Similar to rhododendrons and azaleas, these hydrangeas bloom on old wood.
* Flowering Fruit Trees: Pruning fruit trees in fall can reduce fruit production the following year.
Perennial Flowers
* Peonies: Peonies set their flower buds for the following year in late summer. Pruning them now would remove these buds.
* Daylilies: These perennials bloom on scapes that grow from the base of the plant. Pruning them in fall would remove next year’s scapes.
Evergreens
* Yews: These evergreen shrubs can be damaged by fall pruning, especially if the weather turns cold.
* Boxwoods: Pruning boxwoods in fall can lead to dieback and unsightly growth.
Other Plants
* Oak Trees: Pruning oaks in fall can increase the risk of oak wilt, a fungal disease.
* Roses: While some roses can be pruned in fall, it’s generally best to wait until late winter or early spring.
* Lavender: Lavender blooms on new growth, so pruning it in fall will not affect next year’s blooms. However, it’s best to wait until spring to shape the plant.
Remember: The best time to prune a plant depends on its specific needs and your climate. If you’re unsure about when to prune a particular plant, it’s always best to consult a local gardening expert or reference a reliable gardening resource.