12 Plants You Should Never Cut Back in Fall

2023-09-18
12 Plants You Should Never Cut Back in Fall

Cutting back plants at the right times can encourage fresh growth and increased flowering, and can even reduce common plant diseases like powdery mildew. However, pruning plants at the wrong time of the year can actually inhibit flowering and cause other issues. When cleaning up your garden in fall, leaving certain perennials and shrubs intact will help keep these plants thriving for years to come. The following plants should never be pruned in autumn.

01 of 12

Rhododendrons and azaleas

Azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the same plant family and their pruning requirements are similar as a result. Because these plants flower on old wood, pruning azaleas and rhododendrons in fall will remove their flower buds and prevent the plants from blooming the following spring. To avoid this, only prune azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring to early summer, no more than three weeks after the plants finish blooming.

02 of 12

Lilacs

Pruning is an essential task if you keep lilac shrubs (Syringa spp.) in your garden as these plants can get unruly and grow over 30 feet tall if they are not cut back from time to time. However, like rhododendrons, lilacs only bloom on old wood, and pruning plants late in the season will remove the plant’s flower buds and reduce bloom intensity. Instead of fall pruning, lilac bushes should be cut back immediately after they finish blooming in late spring to early summer.

03 of 12

Forsythia

Like lilacs, forsythia shrubs are fast-growing plants that can quickly overcrowd garden beds if they aren’t pruned every year or two. However, these plants only bloom on old wood and, if you prune forsythia in autumn, you risk removing the plant’s flower buds. To avoid this, only prune forsythia bushes in spring after the flowers fade and never cut away more than a third of forsythia branches at one time.

04 of 12

Coneflower

Coneflower plants (Echinacea spp.) don’t necessarily need to be pruned at all, but if you like a tidier garden, it’s best to wait until spring to cut coneflowers back. If you leave this perennial's large seed heads intact in fall, they’ll provide an important food source for birds in winter and attract other wildlife to your garden as well. Beyond that, coneflower plants also readily self-sow if you don’t remove the seed heads and you’ll often get free “volunteer” coneflower plants if you wait until spring to do your pruning.

05 of 12

Globe Thistle

Like coneflowers, globe thistle (Echinops ritro) plants produce seed-filled flower heads. During winter, these seeds provide food for goldfinches and other birds and they help wildlife survive when other food sources are scarce. What’s more, dried globe thistle flowers remain upright throughout the winter months, adding texture to flower beds even when there’s snow on the ground.

06 of 12

Russian Sage

Russian sage plants (Perovskia atriplicifolia) are prized for their aromatic foliage and purple flowers, which are magnets for bees and other pollinators. However, this perennial plant can be susceptible to winter damage, especially if pruned late in the season. To ensure your Russian sage makes it through the cold winter, mulch your plants well and wait until late winter to early spring to do your pruning.

07 of 12

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) is another plant that birds often forage from during the winter months, so leave the dried flowerheads in place if you can. Waiting until spring to cut back black-eyed Susan will reduce your fall gardening tasks and it will also give your flowers more time to self sow. If you want more black-eyed Susan for your garden, skip fall pruning and allow your plants to seed themselves.

08 of 12

Some Hydrangeas

Pruning hydrangeas can be a bit confusing because there’s a lot of variety in this plant group. The cold hardy hydrangea varieties that bloom on new wood can be successfully pruned in autumn. However, other hydrangeas, like oakleaf, bigleaf, mountain, and climbing hydrangeas, flower on old wood and should only be cut back in spring or summer after the plant finishes flowering.

09 of 12

Mock Orange

Mock oranges (Philadelphus spp.) are famed for their highly scented flowers and they’re often grown in cottage gardens where they pair beautifully with forsythia, viburnums, and lilacs. Low maintenance and easy to care for, mock oranges don’t require a lot of fuss, but they’re another plant that shouldn’t be cut back in fall. Like some of the other plants on this list, mock oranges only flower on old wood and pruning late in the season will reduce the plant’s flower buds and diminish bloom size.

10 of 12

Lady's Mantle

Another cottage garden favorite, lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) doesn’t really need to be pruned. In fact, some gardeners allow these plants to grow a bit wild. However, if you want to keep your garden beds looking pristine, avoid fall pruning and cut back lady’s mantle plants in spring instead. As with Russian sage, removing lady’s mantle foliage late in the season will make the plant’s roots more vulnerable to winter damage.

11 of 12

Coral Bells

Coral bells (Heuchera) bring colorful foliage to borders, and send up clusters of flowers in spring and summer. While you should deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, the leaves themselves should not be heavily cut back in the fall since they help protect the plant's crown through winter. It's best to wait until spring to prune the plant if needed, also removing any parts that have died in the winter.

12 of 12

Milkweed

Before you take pruning sheers to milkweed (Asclepias) in the fall, think of the butterflies! As a native perennial, the plant's foliage and flowers helps support birds, bees and butterflies (its foliage is a particularly important a food source for Monarch caterpillars). In fall, leaving your milkweed standing provides shelter for pollinators that make nests in hollow stems.

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

Rose of Jericho is a unique houseplant that can survive with minimal water, making it a great option for travelers and forgetful gardeners.
21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

Color is always nice, but scale is everything when choosing miniature garden plants. Peruse our favorite picks for fairy gardens and terrariums.
13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Create a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly garden by including these nectar-rich plants.
Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is coleus a perennial that comes back every year? That depends on where you live and how you care for it. Use these tips to enjoy coleus as a colorful perennial or annual plant.
How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

Ranunculus are favorite flowers for weddings, arrangements, and gardens. Here's how to plant and grow ranunculus.
How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

This guide on how to grow glossy abelia includes essential planting and care tips such watering, fertilizing, and pruning needs. You'll also find popular types of abelia to grow and pretty companion plants for this flowering shrub.
Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas not blooming can be a frustrating problem for gardeners. These straightforward tips will promote tons of long-lasting flowers.
10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

Mix and match these sweet potato companion plants in your vegetable beds for pest-free crops and easier gardening.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

These easy-to-follow tips will help you figure out how and when to harvest radishes for the best flavor and size. Plus, get troubleshooting advice if your radish roots aren't developing properly.
How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

Find out exactly how and when to start tomato seeds indoors so they'll be ready to transplant into your garden in spring.
Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Learn the differences between tillers and cultivators and the tasks they're best suited for.
Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Composting is a simple way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into food for your garden. But some of these items should never be in compost.
Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

With a bit of grass seed or sod, lawn repair is easy, and you’ll soon have a lush green carpet again.
What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

Tiny white bugs on plants in your home or outdoors can be a big problem. Learn how to identify and get rid of them with this guide.
How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

Protect your plants from the most common diseases. Learn to recognize the symptoms and how to prevent these diseases in the first place.
How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

Decorative rocks and stones add another element of nature to your yard, whether you grow hydrangeas, tulips, or cacti.
Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Even if you're a beginner, these simple landscape planning tips will take the mystery out of designing your yard's ideal layout.
10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

Use native plants in your garden instead of popular invasive landscape plants: See a list of common invasive plants, plus native alternatives to plant instead.
Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Use our lawn-care schedule to help you maintain a beautiful yard all year long. You'll learn exactly when to mow, aerate, fertilize, and overseed.