Horticulture News

0
493

Fall means tree leaves turn great variations of red, purple and orange.  As temperatures cool down deciduous trees and shrubs also drop leaves.  Perennial and annual flowers dry up and die back too.

 

Fall is traditionally a time for cleaning up gardens. Normally, we recommend clear-cutting dead stems to help control insect and disease problems. With herbaceous perennials that have been pest free, you might want to consider leaving some to provide structure, form, and color to the winter garden. For example, ornamental grasses can be attractive even during the winter months. But those near structures should be cut to the ground because they can be a fire hazard. Perennials with evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage can provide color. Of course, some perennials are naturally messy after dormancy and should be cut back in the fall.

 

Foliage can be left for other reasons. For example, foliage left on marginally hardy plants such as tender ferns help ensure overwintering of plant crowns. Also, seed heads on some perennial plants can provide seed for birds.  If we have an ice or snow coating on dead foliage it can look strikingly beautiful when the sun shines on it in the winter.

Scott Eckert, Harvey County Extension Agent, Horticulture

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here