skip to main content

when to cut back

16 years ago

How long must I wait after the bloom (mainly daffodils and tulips) before cutting back ? I have heard six weeks to make sure the bulbs come back the next year, and others say wait until the foliage all turns brown. It gets very unsightly and scraggly looking.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

ladychroe
16 years ago
The dying foliage is the downside to having bulbs. I wait until the foliage is 70% browned. Depending on the bulb, that's 4-6 weeks.

If it's driving me nuts, I will trim off ONLY the brown parts, leaving whatever parts are still green. It helps.
0
jodik_gw
16 years ago
I have partially solved the ugly part to growing bulbs by planting perennials along with them... I have a huge bulb bed filled with tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs... as I planted those bulbs, I also planted Daylilies, Iris, Delphiniums, Coreopsis, Gaillardia, and several other perennials that I like... when the bulbs begin to die down, the perennials will take over and partially hide the ugliness.

It's important to allow bulbs to grow and recharge for the next bloom season, and I wouldn't dream of cutting back the leaves until they're finished. Inter-planting them with perennials or annuals can help make the area look a lot better as the bulb leaves begin to turn brown.
0
Related Discussions
when to cut back a boston fern?
Q
Comments (2)
If it were me, I'd plan on a shear job in spring as I was moving them out. As a general rule, I'd plan on doing it just before whenever you could expect a growth spurt....to minimize the amount of time they spend naked (both for looks and photosynthesis). Btw, there should be no above ground stems, those are all leaves.
...See More
When to cut back peony...
Q
Comments (4)
You have peony in zone 9....10.....that's a surprise to me, I thought peony had to have a winter. Anyway, where we are peony just naturally dies back and returns in the spring when soil temperatures rise. In your tropics I have no idea since I didn't know that peony was viable. I suggest you get in touch with the American Peony Society.....or one of your local Society chapters---they should be able to give you the best, up-to-date info.
...See More
When To Cut Back Autumn Amber Sumac
Q
Comments (1)
Valygirl, you have waited a long time for someone to respond. I don't know much about shrubs. My yard is barely big enough to get the pickup turned around in so that I can head off to other property to grow an annual garden. One fruit tree, perennial plantings and a few hydrangeas . . . Here is what I've learned just searching around the internet and there is very little information on Rhus trilobata care. It is almost as tho' they should be "care-free." Altho', Wyoming and New Mexico Cooperative Extension mention Rhus trilobata, the only extension service that talks about pruning is Harvard. Well, I guess they aren't an extension service . . . "R. trilobata requires little maintenance; pruning to control height and improve appearance can be done as needed." How about that? Since the pruning information on Staghorn Sumac all seems to be about doing that work after flowering, I'll guess that is also true for Rhus trilobata. Pruned branches tend to die-back with winter frost damage anyway. The Harvard info is linked below. Hope it helps! Steve Here is a link that might be useful: arboretum.harvard.edu
...See More
When to cut back this evergreen shrub (pic)
Q
Comments (5)
About two years ago! Look like they are Ilex 'Dwarf Burford', or maybe 'Needlepoint'. Generally you cut these back about 3 to 4 inches each year if you want them small. In other words, a little every year. I would have done drastic cuttings back in February-March. Not sure if they'll put out a lot of new growth now if you cut them back, however it's likely, since you have a long growing season in Atlanta, and these are fairly hardy plants. Hopefully someone with more drastic-pruning experience will chime in.
...See More
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
16 years ago
Hardy geranium is Great to hide dying bulb foliage. It leafs out fully about the same time as the bulbs start looking scruffy. I have many things planted around my Johnson's Blue geranium and you'd never know by the end of May that they were there.
0

Related Stories

CONTRACTOR TIPS Building Permits: When a Permit Is Required and When It's Not

By Matt Clawson

In this article, the first in a series exploring permit processes and requirements, learn why and when you might need one

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden

FLOWERS Best Cutting-Garden Beauties for Late Summer

By Paintbox Garden

Pick blooms bursting with color or in classic white for bouquets to give away or keep all to yourself

DECORATING GUIDES Room Doctor: 10 Things to Try When Your Room Needs a Little Something

By Laura Gaskill

Get a fresh perspective with these tips for improving your room’s design and decor

MORE ROOMS Where to Put the TV When the Wall Won't Work

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

See the 3 Things You'll Need to Float Your TV Away From the Wall

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Try an Integrated Cutting Board for Easy Food Prep

By Christine Tusher

Keep knife marks in their place and make dicing and slicing more convenient with an integrated butcher block or cutting board

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Smart Cost Cutting, Beautiful Results

By Becky Harris

A stylish multipurpose basement for less than half the usual cost? See the budget-saving tricks that helped this underground space

MOST POPULAR Thanksgiving Tales: When the Turkey Tanks

By Mary Jo Bowling

Houzz readers prove adept at snatching victory from the jaws of entertaining defeat

WORKING WITH PROS Working With Pros: When You Just Need a Little Design Guidance

By Judith Taylor Designs

Save money with a design consultation for the big picture or specific details

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: When the Neighbor’s Dog Meets Your Landscape

How do you navigate those difficult conversations when you don’t want people’s dogs doing their business on your plants and lawn?

Sponsored

More Discussions

Variegated lily of the valley

3

Plant ID? Does anyone recognize these bulbs?

8

Camass dies every year

0

Removing Alstroemerians

0

LED Watt Lightbulb Help!!

5