Now is the time to be thinking about performing your annual pruning. Annual pruning is the process of removing last year’s foliage off many perennials and ornamentals so they can use more of their energy to produce new plant growth. Ornamental grasses like liriope, pampas, maiden, and hamlin and shrubs like knock-out roses, spirea, abelia, and mums benefit greatly from annual pruning.
How far should I cut back my grasses?
A good rule is to cut them back as far as possible until you get to the densest part of the plant. Some people like to cut them straight across but I like to keep them in a nice tight ball.
What about other ornamentals?
Spirea, abelia, and mums need to be cut back to the size of a basketball.