Plant Care

The  table below gives basic information for caring for the perennials and woody plants that we sell.

Botanical Name	Care
Acanthus spinosus	Remove dead leaves in fall or spring.
Acer palmatum var. dissectum  ‘Seiryu’	No special care
Actaea  simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’	Allow seed heads to stay on plant for winter interest.  Cut back in spring.
Aenomium ‘Kiwi’	TENDER - bring in for winter
Aesculus pavia	No special care
Ajuga reptans	Cut off spent flowers; may actually be mowed after blooming
Amelanchier canadensis	tends to sucker - may be kept pruned to small tree - prune after blooming
Amsonia	Plants usually require no special care.  If the location is shady or the soil too rich, plants may flop after flowering.  If this happens, shear back by a third to a half and shape after flowering is complete.  Cutting back after flowering will also prevent self-seeding.  Cut to the ground in the Spring.
Anemone hybrids	No deadheading required for longer bloom time.  Cut to the ground in late fall, once they are done blooming and no longer green. Do not plant in areas that are very wet in winter.  Never transplant in the fall.
Anemone x hybrida	No deadheading required for longer bloom time.  Cut to the ground in late fall, once they are done blooming and no longer green. Do not plant in areas that are very wet in winter.  Never transplant in the fall.
Aquilegia	Allow seed heads to remain if self seeding is desired.  Otherwise remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in fall or early spring.
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’	Cut to ground in late fall or spring.
Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’	Prune out dead and damaged parts in late winter.  Can prune to shape after berries are done if desired.
Aruncus ‘Guinea Fowl’	Cut off dead flower heads in summer.  Cut any dead parts in early spring.
Aruncus aethusifolius	Cut off dead flower heads in summer.  Cut out any dead parts in early spring.
Asarum canadense	Cut to ground in late winter or early spring
Asarum europaeum	Cut to ground in late winter or early spring
Asimina triloba	May remove suckers to form a tree.
Astilbe '	Deadheading will not increase blooms.  Dried seed heads may be left on the plant to provide late season interest.  If plants become dry and crisp in a drought year, you may cut them back to the ground.  New green growth will appear.  Do not cut back in fall, but prune in spring.
Athyrium filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’	Cut to the ground in late fall or early spring.
Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’	Cut to the ground in late fall or early spring.
Baptisia australis	After flowering you may cut back plants by one third if they flop. This maintains a neat appearance.  The disadvantage of this is that you will not get the beautiful black seed pods.  Plants may be cut back to the ground in late fall or spring.
Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana	Cut to the ground in late fall or early spring.
Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘Crimson Pygmy’	No pruning required; may prune for shape.
Brunnera	Cut back dead flower stems.  Remove dead foliage in late fall or early spring.
Buddleia	Cut back to 18 inches in spring just as leaves start to open. Deadhead flowers for longer bloom.
Buxus	Pruning seldom needed, but may be sheared if desired.
Calamintha nepeta ‘Montrose White’	Cut to ground at end of season or in early spring.
Callicarpa dichotoma  'Early Amethyst'	Prune hard in early spring.
Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’	Prune to shape after flowering.
Campanula carpatica ‘Pearl Deep Blue’	Shear flowers off when done blooming.  Remove dead foliage in late fall or early spring.
Campanula portenschlagiana ‘ClockwiseTM Deep Blue’	Shear flowers off when done blooming.  Remove dead foliage in late fall or early spring.
Campanula poscharskyana ‘Blue Rivulet’	A vigorous grower with renewed flowering when stems are cut back after blooming.
Carex	Cut out dead leaves in summer
Cephalotaxus harringtonii ‘Fastigiata’	No pruning required.  May be pruned to control size and shape.
Chaenomeles x superba ‘Cameo’	Prune after flowering
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii'	No pruning required.  May be pruned to control size and shape.
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Gold Mop'	No pruning required.  May be pruned to control size and shape.
Chelone lyonii '	Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Chionanthus virginicus	No pruning required.  May be pruned after flowering to control size and shape.
Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink'	No pinching required in the spring.  This is a naturally bushy plant.  Cut back to ground in late fall or early spring.
Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Pierre’	Cut back in late fall or early spring if needed.
Clethra alnifolia	Older branches may be cut out at ground level in winter if desired.  Removing spent flowers after blooming improves appearance.
Colocasia	Dig tubers, air dry for a day  and store between 45 and 55 degrees.
Coreopsis verticillata ‘	Shear plants in August to remove dead flowers.  Cut to ground in either fall or spring.
Cornus kousa	No special care
Cornus sanguinea ‘Compressa’	No special care - remove any sucjers
Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’	Pruning optional; may prune hard in spring to keep small.
Crocosmia 'Lucifer'	Remove dead leaves throughout summer.  Cut to ground in fall.
Cryptomeria japonica	No pruning required.
Delosperma dyeri Red Mountain  Flame	No special care.  Dead flowers may be removed.
Deutzia	Pruning optional after flowering; may remove old wood.
Dianthus  ‘Firewitch’	Shear off spent flowers.
Dicentra  spectablis	Deadhead flowers to basal foliage. Remove any dead or unsightly leaves.  Cut to ground in late fall.
Digitalis grandiflora	Deadhead to lateral buds.  When all flowering is done and new basal growth starts, cut back to basal growth.  Plants may re-bloom.  Cut back dead leaves in early spring.
Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata ’ The King	Cut down to ground in spring.
Echeveria ’	TENDER - Bring inside before frost.
Epimedium	Plants are semi-evergreen.  By very early spring they are not attractive and should be cut to the ground before flower growth starts.
Erodiium reichardii  ‘Charm’	TENDER - Bring inside before frost.
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Hobbit’	Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Euphorbia amygdaloides var robbiae	Plant is fairly evergreen.  Remove dead stems in late fall or early spring.
Euphorbia polychroma	Plants may be sheared back by one third after flowering to keep a neater plant and prevent seeding, however this sacrifices the beautiful fall color of the flowers.  Plants may be kept over winter and cut back in spring.
Ficus carica ‘Chicago Hardy’	Cut back to 3 ft and protect for winter.
Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’	Flowers remain attractive after drying on plant.  If plant looks unattractive in late summer, cut to the ground to force new basal growth.  Cut to ground in fall or spring.
Filipendula vulgaris	Remove spent flower stems.  Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Fothergilla x intermedia ‘Mount Airy'	No pruning required
Geranium 'Dragon Heart’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium 'Perfect Storm’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium Blushing Turtle	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium cinereum  ‘Purple Pillow’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves in the spring.  The plant is quite evergreen.
Geranium sanguineum	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium sanguineum ‘New Hampshire Purple’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves in the spring.  The plant is quite evergreen.
Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Karmina'	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves in the spring.  The plant is quite evergreen.
Gerranium pratense ‘Midnight Ghost’	Dead flowers may be removed.  Cut out any dead leaves throughout the season.
Ginkgo biloba	No pruning required
Gypsophila Summer Sparkler	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in fall or early spring.
Helianthus salicifolia ‘Table Mountain’	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in fall or early spring.
Heliopsis helianthoides	Deadhead and cut back old stems after blooming.
Helleborus ‘ hybrids	Cut off damaged leaves in very early spring.
Heptacodium miconoides	Early Spring pruning is optional to shape - either a bush or a tree.
Heuchera	Remove spent flowers. If foliage fades or dries out in late summer or early fall, cut off old growth.  Do not prune for winter.  Cut off any dead leaves in spring.
Heucherella	move spent flowers. If foliage fades or dries out in late summer or early fall, cut off old growth.  Do not prune for winter.  Cut off any dead leaves in spring.
Hibiscus ‘	Remove spent flowers and any dead leaves during growing season.  Cut down to 6 inches in fall.
Hosta	Seed heads may be removed to improve appearance.  However, the seeds do provide food for birds and may be left.  Cut foliage to ground after killing frost or in the early spring.
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris	No pruning required.  If desired to control size, prune after flowering is complete.
Hydrangea arborescens	Cut to the ground in early spring.
Hydrangea involucrata Blue BunnyTM	Prune in spring if desired.
Hydrangea macrophylla STAR GAZER	It typically blooms on old wood in late spring with repeat bloom on new wood from summer often into fall if spent flowers are regularly deadheaded.  Prune to remove dead wood only in spring.
Hydrangea paniculata	Pruning optional; may cut back by a third in early spring.
Hydrangea quercifolia	Pruning optional after flowering to control size.
Hypericum frondosum 'Sunburst'	Prune hard in early spring
Ilex verticillata	No pruning required
Iris sibirica	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone'	No pruning required
Kirengeshoma palmata	Cut back in fall.
Koelrueteria paniculata	No special care
Lamium galeobdolon	No pruning required unless plant becomes leggy.  If it does, cut it back to 5 inches.
Lamium maculatum	Cut out dead parts in spring.
Larix laricina	No pruning required.
Lavandula a	Prune back after flowering.  Remove dead wood in spring.
Leucanthemum superbum	Cut to ground when flowers fade - New green foliage will return for the rest of the season.
Lewisia Elise mix	Remove dead flowers
Liatris spicata ‘Kobold Original’	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Lilium asiatic hybrid	Remove spent flowers ~ cut foliage to ground in fall
Lindera benzoin	No pruning required.
Lobelia cardinalis	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Lobelia siphilitica	Deadheading improves appearance and may result in re-blooming.
Lycium	May be trimmed and staked in spring.  Staking or trellising is recommended to allow maximum access to the fruit. Shrubs will be free standing after the first 2 years and can be pruned in early spring.
Magnolia	No pruning required but prune after flowering if it must be done to control size.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides	No pruning required.
Microbiota decussata	No pruning required.
Miscanthus x giganteus	Cut to ground in early spring.
Monarda didyma ‘	Remove spent flowers.  Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.
Nepeta ‘Little Trudy’	Shear back by two thirds after blooming to retain neat appearance.  Prune hard in late fall.
Papaver orientale	When foliage declines, around end of July, pull by hand or cut down foliage.  New leaves in late summer/fall should be left in place for winter.
Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’	Hardy to Zone 9 - will not survive our winters - treat like an annual
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Speciosa’	Cut to ground in fall
Persicaria polymorpha	Cut back flower stalks after blooming.  Remove dead leaves in spring.
Philadelphus	Prune after blooming to shape and remove old wood.
Phlox paniculata including Flame Series	Deadheading will prolong bloom.  Cut to ground in late fall or when plant appears unattractive.
Phlox Red Flame (Flame Series)	Deadheading will prolong bloom.  Cut to ground in late fall or when plant appears unattractive.
Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'	Remove spent flowers.
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'	May be pruned after flowering.  Cut to ground in late winter if rejuvenation is needed, but bloom will be sacrificed.
Picea abies	No special care
Polystichum polyblepharum	Cut out dead fronds in spring.
Prunus 'Kojou No Mai'	No special care.   Prune after flowering if desired.
Pulmonaria	Cut off dead flower stems after flowering is complete.  Cut off any foliage that becomes unattractive throughout the season.  Clean up any dead foliage in the spring.
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Salem’	Bring indoors for winter. Trim and use as culinary herb.
Rudbeckia	Leave seed pods on for birds.  Cut back dead stems in late fall or early spring.
Rumex sanguineus	Cut to ground in late fall or early spring.  Remove flowers if desired.
Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki'	Prune hard in early spring; prune throughout season to retain variegation.
Salix udensis 'Sekka'	Pruning optional after flowering. Prune heavily to control size. Removing the pussy willows to use in decorating actually serves as pruning.
Salvia ‘Ballerina Pink’	Deadheading lengthens bloom time.  If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage.  Cut plant back in fall or spring.
Salvia	Deadheading lengthens bloom time.  If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage.  Cut plant back in fall or spring.
Saponaria ocymoides	Shear plants back by one half after flowering to keep neat.  Do not prune for winter.  Remove any dead parts in spring.
Saxifraga x arendsii TouranTM Scarlet	Remove spent flowers if desired
Sedum  tall varieties	Cut off dead flower stalks in late fall or spring.
Sedum  mat formers	Cut off dead flower stalks.  Cut off dead parts in spring.
Sedum adolphii ‘Firestorm’	TENDER - bring in before frost
Sedum japonicum  ‘Tokyo Sun’	TENDER - bring in before frost
Sempervivum	Remove any dead parts in spring.
Senecio serpens	TENDER - bring in before frost
Spirea japonica	Prune by a third in late winter and lightly after flowering.
Spirea thunbergii ‘Ogon’	Prune after flowering if desired.
Stachys	Remove spent flowers.   Cut to ground in late fall or spring
Stokesia laevis	Deadheading will lengthen bloom time. Deadhead to lateral buds and then remove entire flower stalk when bloom is finished.  Cut off dead foliage in spring.
Syringa	Cut out thin and unproductive branches after flowering.
Taxodium distichum	No pruning is required.
Thuja	No pruning is required
Tiarella	Remove dead flowers after blooming.
Tricyrtis formosana	Cut to ground in fall or spring.
Trollius x cultorum	Deadhead to prolong bloom.  Cut to ground in late fall or spring.
Viburnum	Little pruning required.  May be pruned after flowering.
Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’	Because flowering appears on new growth, winter dieback or pruning back to the ground will not affect flowering.
Weigela florida	Cut back shoots that flowered after blooming.
Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’	Blooms on new wood, so may be thinned or shaped at almost any time.

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