Month: January 2010
Peonies: When and How to prune peonies!
Peonies: When and How to prune Peonies
One of the most popular and spectacular garden perennials are herbaceous peonies. Grown first in Japan many years ago, they come in many colors and flower shapes. Peonies grow best in cool climates with chilly winters, rich soil and good drainage. They like a lot of sun, and because they can grow quite large they will need space. A healthy plant will last many years and give you much enjoyment. The best thing about peonies is that they are easy to care for and usually only need light pruning and fall cleanup.
Prune or trim them only in the fall, after the foliage has started to die back.
Look at the plant. Step back and study it before pruning. You want it to be bushy, shapely and spiracle next spring, so carefully plan where to begin your cuts.
Start by cutting weak stems that are smaller than a pencil.
Cut out any stems that are dead or appear to be woody and dry.
Leave strong stems that are about the size of a cigar, if they fit your overall plan for the shape you want and the space it is growing in.
Prune the remaining stems back about half. If the plant is diseased or hasn’t done well, you can even cut the whole bush back to almost ground level. Do not compost any of these cuttings or the dry yellowed foliage.
Tips & Warnings
Plant peonies early in the fall, away from large trees or shrubs, so they do not have to compete for nutrients and root space.
Peonies grow thick and lush, so you can also lightly prune, trim and deadhead during the spring and summer to improve air circulation.
When deadheading, cut off the flowers to the next lower leaf because this will conserve their energy and keep them from making seeds.
Ants love peony blossoms. But they are neither beneficial nor harmful, so there is no need to spray them.
Peonies should only be transplanted or divided when they become extremely crowded, as they do not respond well to transplanting.
Choose your initial planting location carefully with space in mind.
New peony plants may not bloom for a year or two until they become established, so be patient and later you will be rewarded with many gorgeous blooms.
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When and how to trim pampas grass
How to Prune Pampas Grass
Member
By peanutcup
User-Submitted Article
Article Rating: (6 Ratings)
Clip it as low as you can in mid to late winter
Pampas grass and other ornamental grasses look best when they get an annual pruning in mid to late winter. Trimming them back removes the brown blades and allows the new grass to come out looking fresh.
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Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You’ll Need:
Pruning shears
Hedge clippers
Long sleeved clothing
Gloves
Step
1
Pampas grass and other ornamental grasses can be dangerous. The blades are sharp and can cause irritations and cuts on your arms and hands if you are not protected. Wear gloves, a long sleeved shirt and long pants.
Step
2
Mid to late winter is the ideal time to prune grasses. That is generally before mid February in the southeast states (zones 7 and warmer). Grasses can add interest to a winter garden so avoid cutting them back too early. But it’s easier to trim them before new growth begins. Cutting the new growth will leave a discolored, blunt tip on the grass blade.
Step
3
Clip the mound as close to the ground as you can, 12 inches would be best. I like to use hand pruners to be more accurate but hedge clippers or loppers would work too. Larger plants can even be cut back with a chain saw
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