Prune Away for a Stunning Late Summer Display: Discover the 7 Blooming Plants to Cut in August for a Spectacular Flash of Flowers
In the heart of summer, as gardens bloom in a riot of colour, it's time to consider a little garden maintenance that can bring a fresh lease of life to your plants. By pruning certain perennials and flowering plants at the right time, you can stimulate a second flush of flowers, extending the beauty of your garden well into the autumn months.
The first on our list is Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint. To keep this perennial thriving in partial shade and poor soil, a summer cut can encourage a second flurry of blooms and give it a pleasing compact shape. It's acceptable to chop off some foliage along with the spent flowers when cutting back Nepeta. August is an ideal time for this pruning, as it prepares the plant for a late-season bloom.
Yarrow, with its fluffy blooms, can also benefit from a summer cut. Cutting back Yarrow after their first flurry of color can encourage a second flush along in time for a fabulous fall display. This pruning action helps the plant conserve energy, refresh its appearance, and produce another round of blooms.
Hardy Geraniums, known for their long-lasting flowers, can be cut back to ground level after their first flush of colour. This drastic pruning not only revitalizes the plant but also impacts its vitality, preparing it for a second wave of colour.
Lady's Mantle, with its unique textured leaves, can be cut back by half or more in August. This pruning shakes it out of its summer stupor and prompts a second flush of new leaves and blooms.
Hyssop Anise (Agastache) can be given a light trim once the first flush of flowers is spent to encourage a second floral wave. This gentle pruning helps the plant conserve energy, preparing it for a new round of blooms.
Some of the longest living perennials, such as Salvia, Lupines, Delphinium, Cranesbill, Foxgloves, Goldenrod, Alchemilla Mollis, Wild Bergamot, Munstead Lavender, Colorado Blend Yarrow, and Bottlebrush, can also benefit from a summer prune. A well-selected trim up top or a hard prune to startle the plant back into growth can stimulate fresh growth and potentially a new round of blooms.
For shrubs like Bottlebrush, pruning after flowering helps to keep them compact and encourages strong new shoots before winter. For vigorous spreaders like Goldenrod, cutting the tops off flower heads helps reduce seed spread but keeps foliage for garden coverage.
However, it's important to note that not all plants should be pruned in August. Plants that support wildlife or have autumn interest, such as Rugosa Roses that develop hips late in the season, should be left untouched.
Lastly, don't forget about Lantana. A light summer haircut in August can promote bushiness and encourage a second flush of flowers.
Remember, watering and nourishing newly shorn plants after pruning helps them hit their second stride as quickly as possible. So, grab your pruning shears, and let's breathe new life into our gardens!
References: [1] Garden Myths: Pruning [2] When to Prune Perennials [3] Pruning for Rebloom [4] Pruning Perennials [5] Pruning Bottlebrush
The home-and-garden lifestyle of gardening includes pruning certain perennials like Nepeta, Yarrow, Hardy Geraniums, Lady's Mantle, Hyssop Anise (Agastache), and some longer living perennials such as Salvia, Lupines, Delphinium, Cranesbill, Foxgloves, Goldenrod, Alchemilla Mollis, Wild Bergamot, Munstead Lavender, Colorado Blush Yarrow, and Bottlebrush, to stimulate a second flush of flowers and revitalize the plants. Pruning shrubs like Bottlebrush after flowering helps keep them compact and encourages strong new shoots before winter.
