Question
THANKS FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE THE OTHER DAY.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT BE CUT DOWN TO
THE GROUND IN THE FALL? 1. SWAMP MILKWEED 2. BEE BALM
MONARDA.             3. OBEDIENT PLANT
4. COREOPSIS
5. ASTER
6. BLEEDING HEART
7. ASTILBE
8. CANADIAN LILAC
9. CLIMBING ROSE
10. HYDRANGEA
11. SOUTHERN HIBISCUS
12/ LENTEN ROSE
13. SEDUM
14. CLEMATIS (SCIENTIFIC NAME UNKNOWN (PURPLE FLOWER)


Answer
Hi Arthur,
Thanx for the question.  You can cut down most perennials after the first frost when the foliage is brown.  I would be careful trimming the lilac, hydrangea and hibiscus.  Trim away only the dead wood.  If you trim too severely they won't bloom next year.  Same with the clematis.  Trim only the dead parts of the vine.  I hope this helps.
Tom