Or they can offer shelter to beneficial insects and seed heads to feed wildlife.
Warning
Some plants on this list are toxic to humans and animals and are noted below.
Artemisia
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Artemisia(Artemisia spp.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
)is often known by common names such as wormwood or mugwort.
Most species in theArtemisiagenus dont like being pruned in the fall.
Instead, clean up these plants in early spring.
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This plant is mildly toxic to humans.
thomsonii.They are known collectively asAsterxfrikartii, named after the Swiss hybridizer who developed them.
Other species of asters fall into theSymphyotrichumgenus.
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These fall-blooming asters have generally been pinched and forced several times throughout the growing season.
Astilbe
Astilbe plants (Astilbespp,hybrids) dont require much maintenance.
Long considered a shade plant, newer cultivars are available that thrive in full sun.
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Fall clean-up is unnecessary and may weaken the plants tolerance for cold.
Minimal spring clean-up is required.
‘Herbstfreude’(‘Autumn Joy’), though it is often still sold as aSedumor stonecrop.
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Birds will also continue to eat the seeds as long as they are present.
Autumn Joy in particular holds up very well through the winter.
Aven
TheGeumgenus includes about 50 species, several of which are native wildflowers in North America.
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These plants often are known as avens, but individual species may have other common names.
Prairie smoke, for example, is the common name forGeum triflorum,a common North American wildflower.
Aven plants are clump-forming perennials with dark green leaves with scalloped edges.
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They bloom on long wiry stems in spring and early summer and sometimes rebloom in fall.
There doesnt seem to be any benefit to cutting it back until spring.
Bears Breeches
You may need to cut back old, dying bears breeches (Acanthusspp.
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In cold climates, leaving the growth in place over winter offers valuable protection to the plant.
Three principal species go by the common name bear’s breeches:Acanthus balcanicus, A. mollis,andA.
spinosis.They have similar cultural needs.
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Bellflower
There are various bellflower (Campanulaspp.
persicifolia(peach-leaved bellflower).
The resulting fresh basal foliage should be left through winter.
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The remaining seeds will readily germinate the following spring and propagate volunteers in the garden.
Several other members of theRudbeckiagenus also offer winter benefits to birds, includingR.
fulgida(orange coneflower),R. triloba(brown-eyed Susan), andR.
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maxima(large coneflower).
It holds its shape better if sheared by about one-third after flowering.
Youll lose the seed pods, but youll prevent rampant self-seeding.
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Spring pruning seems to rejuvenate it.
When signs of green appear at the base in spring, cut the plant back to 610 inches.
It grows to about 2 feet tall.
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Butterfly weed is mildly toxic to people and animals.
Cardinal flowers are toxic to people and animals.
Coral Bells
Coral bells(Heuchera)are prone to heaving in soils that freeze and thaw.
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Leaving the foliage intact helps to mulch the plants through winter.
Most garden varieties of coral bells are complicated hybrids derived fromH.
sanguinea, H. americana, H. micrantha, H. villosa,andH.
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In colder climates, simply cut the plant back to its base in the spring.
This plant freely self-seeds, so check that to deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent this.
Cushion spurge is toxic to humans and animals.
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Delphinium
The most popular perennial species in theDelphiniumgenus isD.
elatum,a designation that indicates hybridized forms of the plant.
The pure species delphiniums are rarely grown as cultivated garden plants and also known as larkspur.
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Garden delphiniums are fairly finicky, short-lived perennials.
This will maximize your chances of the plant returning in spring.
This plant is toxic to humans and animals.
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plumarius, D. superbus,andD.
deltoides.Perennial dianthus plants go by many common names, such as pinks, sweet William, and carnation.
In regions where they die in winter, they are often grown as annuals.
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MostDianthusplants can remain somewhat evergreen throughout the winter and nothing is gained by cutting back in the fall.
AllDianthusplants will still need some clean-up in the spring.
Dianthus is toxic to animals.
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Foxglove
TheDigitalisgenus includes some species that are reliably perennial, as well as short-lived biennial forms.
Perennial foxgloves, such asD.
Foxglove is toxic to animals and humans.
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Bleeding heart is toxic to humans and animals.
The seed heads can look attractive well into fall and winter.
The gas plant is mildly toxic to humans.
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This native North American wildflower is famous for its ability to lure butterflies and other pollinators.
bannaticus(globe thistle).
Several other species are also available (E.sphaerocephalusandE.gmelinii)buttheyare less common as garden plants.
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The plants winter survival seems improved if it is not cut back hard in the fall.
Pink flowers rise as sturdy stalks in early spring.
Clean up winter-damaged foliage in spring, only as needed.
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But after this, allow the plant to recover, and dont cut again until spring.
you might cut it back if you choose, but its not necessary for the plants survival.
Birds such as chickadees will continue to feed on the seed heads well into winter.
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Stems of chartreuse flowers rise above the foliage in late spring to early summer.
Ladys mantle doesnt like to be sheared back frequently.
Let it be and remove winter damage when the leaves perk up in the spring.
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In borderline zones, leaving the foliage in place will provide some protection to the crowns of the plant.
Spring cleanup will be an easy matter of loosely raking up dead foliage.
Lavender
Several species of lavender (Lavandulaspp.)
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serve as great aromatic shrubby plants in the garden, blooming through the entire summer.
Many areas have a hard time over-wintering lavender.
The problem is more often moisture than cold, but cold is a factor.
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Dont prune lavender late in the season, as new growth is extremely cold-sensitive.
Wait until new growth appears in the spring before removing winter dieback.
Lavender is toxic to animals.
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It is a great plant for dry conditions but does not like moist soils or humid conditions.
Lavender cotton plants need time to harden before winter.
Dont prune at all after mid-August and wait until new growth appears in the spring before pruning.
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Garden lupines are generally short-lived perennials that are somewhat temperamental to grow.
This will improve the chances for the plant to survive the winter, especially in colder climates.
Lupine is toxic to humans and animals.
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But several hardy mums are designed for garden use.
Cutting back the plants severely will simulate late new growth, which will be very susceptible to winter kill.
The leaves and flowers of hardy mums are mildly toxic to humans and animals.
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Pincushion Flower
TheScabiosagenus includes several annual and perennial species of pincushion flowers.S.
The foliage may be evergreen in warmer areas, where it is hardier.
Trimming by half will keep the foliage from completely flopping over and retaining too much moisture around the crown.
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Showy blooms of white, pink, or crimson are produced from spring to frost.
Wait until new growth appears in the spring and then cut back to about 6 to 8 inches.
Most types have pink, lavender, or purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer.
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The most common species of sea lavender for garden use areL.
sinuatum.The name “sea lavender” comes from this plant’s fondness for sea marshes.
Go ahead and forget them.
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Let them be for the winter and clean up any dieback in the spring.
Tickseed
Several species of theCoreopsisgenus are commonly known as tickseed.
verticillata(threadleaf tickseed).
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It favors moist environments and does not do well in dry soils.
Keeping the foliage on until spring seems to improve turtlehead’s winter survival.
The flower heads, however, should be deadheaded as they fade.
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Leaving Perennials Standing: Pros and Cons.Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
North Carolina State Extention.
North Carolina State Extension.
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Lobelia cardinalis.North Carolina State Extension.
Euphorbia epithymoides (Cushion Spurge).North Carolina State Extension.
Delphinium.North Carolina State Extension.
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National Capital Poison Center.
North Carolina State Extension.
Potentially Harmful Perennials OH 63.University of Vermont Extension.
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Lupine/blue bonnet.Poison Control | University of Utah Health.
Bluebonnet is toxic to dogs.Pet Poison Helpline.
Chrysanthemum x Morifolium.North Carolina State Extension.
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