Frequently Asked Perennial Questions

From: George McFatrich -St. Louis, Missouri USA - Nov. 15, 1997

Problem: My question is in regards to the winter preparation of some of the types of plants that are in my outdoor landscaping. They are lirope's, fountain grass and day lilly's. My next door neighbor say's to cut the lirope's and the fountain grass completely off. The day lilly's I don't have a clue It is now the end of November and we've had our first snowfall. I'm hope I'm not too late.

Solution:Liriope, daylilies and ornamental grasses can be cut back to the ground each year. The daylilies usually die back first and can be cut at ground level whenever the foliage dies. Liriope usually stay green well into December but can be cut back after the first frost. As for the fountain grass, they can be cut back at anytime after the first frost, but many people leave the foliage intact till spring because it offers texture in the winter garden. Daylilies and fountain grass should be divided  every three to four years.

From: Lee Flint - Flint, Michigan - USA - July 18, 1997

Problem: Would like to know more about dividing bleeding hearts, your May Plant of the Month said divide in spring and your other source said spring bloomers should be divided in the fall. I'm confused!

Solution: Dividing spring bloomers in the fall and fall bloomers in the spring is a general rule of thumb and there exceptions. Most of the shade loving perennials are the exception to the rule. But, I agree I didn’t make it very clear. In this case I would follow the Plant of the Month page which says to divide in spring.

Japanese Bleeding Hearts die in mid-summer, so they should be divided in the spring just as new growth has reached 3". The Fringed Bleeding Heart, will live through the year until frost and also should be divided in the spring when there is 3" of new growth.

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