Fall Pruning Guide: Which Perennials Should Not Be Cut to the Ground

Most perennials can be cut to the ground after the first frost browns the foliage. However, these shrubs and vines bloom on old wood—severe fall pruning removes next year’s flowers.

Prune Selectively (Remove Only Dead Wood)

• Lilac
• Hydrangea (mophead/lacecap types)
• Southern hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)
• Clematis (spring-blooming types)

Safe to Cut to Ground

• Swamp milkweed
• Bee balm (Monarda)
• Obedient plant
• Coreopsis
• Aster
• Bleeding heart
• Astilbe
• Canadian lilac (shrub, but can be rejuvenation-pruned)
• Climbing rose (prune after bloom)
• Lenten rose (Hellebore – just remove old leaves)
• Sedum

When in doubt, wait until spring to see where new growth emerges.