34 Perennials to Cut Back in the Fall

Some perennials can't handle cold weather well. They don't remain attractive after the first frost, and the cold can lead to recurrent problems with pests and diseases. But cutting back certain perennials can protect them from the cold and spark healthy growth come spring. Read on to learn which perennials to cut back in the fall.

Tip

Cutting old and diseased foliage in the fall helps a perennial jumpstart new growth in spring. However, some plants need their foliage for protection over the winter and should instead be pruned in the spring. Know your plant's particular care requirements for the best results.

How to Prune Trees and Plants

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Bearded Iris

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johnandersonphoto / Getty Images

The tall foliage of bearded iris (Iris germanica) begins flopping early in the growing season. By fall, it can become cover for iris borers and fungal diseases. Cut the flower stalk as soon as it's done blooming, and remove any damaged or diseased leaves, but leave the healthy foliage until fall. Cut back the leaves to 6 inches, and dispose of the foliage rather than composting it.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 10
- Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, brown, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Humusy, medium moisture, well-draining
02 of 34
Bee Balm

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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Even the most resistant varieties of bee balm (Monarda didyma) can succumb to powdery mildew. When that happens, you'll have to cut back the plant long before fall. But healthy new growth can be left until spring. Sometimes, selective thinning of the stems is all needed for fall, and you can leave the remaining seed heads for the birds.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
- Color varieties: Red
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, humusy, moist
03 of 34
Blackberry Lily

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Paulo José Lima Gomes / Getty Images

Prune the blackberry lily (Iris domestica) in the fall to prevent its foliage from collapsing. Limp foliage can cause the crown to rot and invite borers. Cutting it back can also help stop unwanted self-seeding, preventing the plant from becoming invasive.
- USDA growing zones: 5 to 10
- Color varieties: Orange with red spots
- Sun exposure: Full sun, light shade
- Soil needs: Average, moist, well-draining
04 of 34
Blanket Flower

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The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) is a hardy plant, and cutting back the spent stems seems to improve its vigor. The plant will look fuller and healthier with some fall pruning. And if you deadhead flowers throughout the growing season, it can promote more continuous blooming.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 10
- Color varieties: Yellow, orange, red, maroon
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
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Bronze Fennel

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hmproudlove / Getty Images

Bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum') accents many gardens. The foliage provides food for swallowtail caterpillars, which can leave the stems completely stripped by fall. If that is the case, the plant is no longer useful and can be cut back to the ground.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
06 of 34
Catmint

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The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Catmint (Nepeta) responds well to pruning throughout the season to refresh and tidy up the foliage. Moreover, winter cold will damage the foliage, so get a head start on your spring garden clean-up by cutting back the plant in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
- Color varieties: Blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, humusy, well-draining
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Columbine

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Paul McGowan / Pixabay

Remove columbine (Aquilegia) foliage showing leaf miner damage, and clear out any debris around the base of the plant. Columbine sends out growth early in spring and appreciates not having old foliage from the previous season to contend with. To prevent self-seeding, remove flowers after blooming. Leave healthy foliage to absorb energy throughout the growing season, and prune after frost.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: Blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow
- Sun exposure: Part shade
- Soil needs: Sandy or loamy, moist, well-draining
08 of 34
Corydalis

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Alfira Poyarkova / Getty Images

It is hard to kill corydalis (Corydalis lutea). But if you would prefer to tame its enthusiastic self-seeding habit, remove seed heads and cut back dead foliage after a killing frost. Furthermore, if a significantly hot summer has damaged foliage, cut back the plant to its basal leaves in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 5 to 7
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Part shade to shade
- Soil needs: Average, medium, well-draining
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Crocosmia

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Suna Viro / EyeEm / Getty Images

Crocosmia flowers should be cut back when they are finished blooming to encourage new flowers. The seed heads can offer interest, but the foliage eventually heads downhill in the colder months. Cut back dead foliage and remove debris.
- USDA growing zones: 5 to 9
- Color varieties: Red, orange, yellow
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Average, neutral pH, well-draining
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Daylily

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Kerstin Riemer / Getty Images

Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to encourage new flowers on reblooming varieties. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) respond well to shearing in the fall. Unless you are in an area where they remain somewhat evergreen, fall pruning will save you a messy cleanup in the spring. If you can't get to cutting back all the dying foliage in the fall, at least make a point of removing any diseased parts of the plant.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Moist, well-draining
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Golden Marguerite

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seven75 / Getty Images

By late summer, golden marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria) flowers have finished blooming and are nodding off. Pruning to the crown will encourage new basal growth, which helps to protect and sustain the plant through the winter.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
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Goldenstar

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Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Getty Images

Low-growing goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) often has problems with powdery mildew. If so, remove and destroy diseased foliage in the fall. Also, cut off any spent flower stems to maintain an attractive ground cover appearance.
- USDA growing zones: 5 to 9
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, medium moisture, acidic, well-draining
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Ground Clematis

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suzyco / Getty Images

Clump-forming clematis (Clematis recta) blooms late in the summer and produces attractive seed heads. But when frost hits, it is as slimy as wet petunias. It blooms on new growth, so do not be afraid to clean it up in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: White
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Fertile, medium moisture, well-draining
14 of 34
Hardy Begonia

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liuyushan / Getty Images

To encourage repeat flowers, remove spent blooms throughout the growing season. Frost will blacken and collapse the foliage of begonias (Begonia grandis). If left at the base of the plant, this foliage can cause crown rot. Prevent this by cutting back the plant in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 6 to 9
- Color varieties: Pink, white
- Sun exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
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Helianthus

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qingwa / Getty Images

These perennial members of the sunflower (H. x laetiflorus, H. salicifolium) family usually finish blooming toward the end of summer and go downhill from there. Deadheading does not improve their appearance, and the tall stems are guaranteed to break and flop. So, cut back the plant to the ground for aesthetics.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
- Color varieties: Yellow and brown
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, well-draining
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Hollyhock Mallow

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congerdesign / Pixabay

Malva alcea blooms throughout the summer and into early fall and benefits from deadheading to encourage more flowering. After it is finished blooming, cut back the plant to basal foliage to maintain a healthy appearance.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 7
- Color varieties: Pink
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Medium moisture, well-draining
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Japanese Anemone

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igaguri_1 / Getty Images

Beetles love Japanese anemones (Anemone hupehensis), and fall leaves often defoliate the plants. Even if the beetles don't get to your plants, the foliage will still turn black and become unattractive with a freeze in colder zones. In warm zones, the foliage remains evergreen. If your Japanese anemones' foliage looks good in the fall in warmer zones, leave it—otherwise, cut it back in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
- Color varieties: Pinkish-white to rose
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Fertile, consistently moist, well-draining
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Leopard Plant

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Leopard plants (Farfugium japonicum) are predominantly grown for their foliage. The leathery leaves grow several inches in length and width, emerging with a dark purple color before turning deep green. Evergreen in warm zones, but when grown in cooler climates or when an unexpected frost occurs, the foliage turns to a dark mush, so feel free to cut it back.
- USDA growing zones: 7 to 10
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Soil needs: Rich, humusy, moist
19 of 34
Ladybell

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Chris Burrows / Getty Images

Ladybells (Adenophora liliifolia) flower in early summer and can be cut back after blooming diminishes. The plant is not prone to problems with pests or diseases, and the basal foliage should remain fresh until spring. Because it's considered invasive in some areas, cut back the spent flowers before seedheads form.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: Blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
20 of 34
Masterwort

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DESIGNOSAURUS / Getty Images

Masterwort (Astrantia major) is often deadheaded throughout the summer to prolong its blooming. If conditions are dry, the foliage will begin to yellow and can be sheared to the crown. But allow healthy new growth to remain through the winter. If no yellowing is present, leave the plant for spring cleaning.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 7
- Color varieties: Pink, red
- Sun exposure: Part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, medium to wet moisture, well-draining
Continue to 21 of 34 below
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Meadow Rue

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skhoward / Getty Images

Regarding performance, it does not matter when you cut back meadow rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium). But once it is done flowering for the season, pruning in the fall is one less thing to do in the spring. However, some varieties will self-seed. If that is desirable, let it go until spring.
- USDA growing zones: 5 to 8
- Color varieties: Purple
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Humusy, medium moisture, well-draining
22 of 34
Mountain Bluet

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Pix / Pixabay

Mountain bluets (Centaurea montana) tend to become black and unsightly with the first frost and can be cut back in the fall. However, if you already sheared them in late summer and only basal growth is present, you can allow that to remain.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: Blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
23 of 34
Painted Daisy

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AYImages / Getty Images

Painted daisies (Tanacetum coccineum) can easily rot in wet soil, so plant them in well-drained soil. Deadhead plants throughout the season to encourage reblooming. Plants will turn brown after frost, so prune dead foliage in the fall.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 7
- Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
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Penstemon

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chapin31 / Getty Images

Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) does not like wet feet and should be planted in well-drained soil. The foliage usually declines toward the end of summer and can be trimmed back. Allowing older growth to flop would hold too much moisture around the crown over the winter.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
- Color varieties: Red
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
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Peony

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The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Peonies (Paeonia) need a cold period to set buds for the following season. Their foliage is prone to mildew, which is reason enough to cut them back in the fall. Infected foliage can be removed in late summer. Healthy foliage will turn golden in fall—that's your sign to prune!
- USDA growing zones: 2 to 9
- Color varieties: Pink, red, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Fertile, well-draining
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Phlox

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Phlox (Phlox paniculata) is prone to powdery mildew, and even the resistant varieties can get infected in bad weather. If so, prune and destroy all foliage and stems in the fall. Even if the plant is healthy, it will benefit from some thinning to increase airflow and prevent disease.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
- Color varieties: Pink, purple, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-draining
27 of 34
Plume Poppy

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Janet Johnson / Getty Images

Plume poppies (Macleaya cordata) are nearly impossible to kill. They can become aggressive spreaders in many gardens under optimal conditions. So cut back your plants before they go to seed unless you want plume poppies everywhere.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
- Color varieties: White
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Loamy, moist, well-draining
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Salvia

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Anshu/Moment Open/Getty Images

Perennial salvia (Salvia nemorosa) benefits from pruning several times during the growing season to prevent it from flopping and encourage reblooming. When blooming slows in the fall, cut back the whole plant to the new basal growth to keep it healthy for spring.
- USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
- Color varieties: Blue-violet, pink, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
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Siberian Bugloss

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Laszlo Podor / Getty Images

Fall cleanup is preferable for Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla), as its foliage turns black and unattractive with the first frost. The plant is an early riser in the spring, so clear away old foliage to prepare for new growth.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: Blue
- Sun exposure: Part shade
- Soil needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
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Sneezeweed

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Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) usually does not finish blooming until midfall; by that time, it is often covered with powdery mildew. Cut the plant by half once the flowers are spent to promote healthy new foliage, removing any diseased leaves. Pruning also encourages branching, reducing the plant's need for support as it gets taller.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: Yellow
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Rich, moist
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Solomon's Seal

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weisschr / Getty Images

Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum) disappears after a frost or two. The leaves will undoubtedly drop. But if the stems remain, they can be returned to the ground.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: White
- Sun exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Soil needs: Rich, humusy, moist, well-draining
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Spiked Speedwell

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Tetiana Garkusha / Getty Images

Deadhead spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata) throughout the growing season to encourage reblooming. As flowering ceases, it can be sheared to the ground. It will only turn black and ugly if left for spring cleanup. For healthy new growth, ensure that the plant has regular moisture but good drainage over the winter.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
- Color varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
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False Indigo

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SkyF / Getty Images

False indigo (Baptisia australis) is one of those plants that split in the middle if they aren't sheared back after blooming. However, many gardeners like to leave the seed pods and choose to stake the plants. Still, the foliage turns black with frost, so cutting back false indigo in the fall is recommended.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: Blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
34 of 34
Yarrow

Credit:
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Yarrow (Achillea) dislikes sitting in cold, wet soil. Most of its blooms are spent by fall, and its foliage is flopping and possibly diseased. Cut it back in early fall, and new basal growth will fill in before frost.
- USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
- Color varieties: Yellow, white, pink, red
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: Sandy, clay, or loamy; dry to medium moisture, well-draining

34 Perennials to Cut Back in the Fall

Tip

Daylily

Golden Marguerite

Goldenstar

Ladybell

Masterwort

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