12 Perennials You Should Always Cut Back in Winter, According to Pro Gardeners

Lantana

Lantana camara is irresistible to pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, and the shape, colors, and fragrance of the blossoms make it a favorite for gardeners, especially for container growth. And while it can be a problematic garden plant because of its invasive nature—if you have it planted directly in the ground, it is a good candidate for winter pruning.

"It's best to cut back lantana in late winter or in the very early spring, as they're normally dormant at that point," says Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener and host of the GardenDC podcast. "Cut back the whole plant to about 6 to 10 inches from the ground."

• Zones: 7 to 11
• Mature size: About 5 feet tall x 5 feet wide; smaller when kept pruned
• Care requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil

Wisteria

Perennial vines gradually expand their territory year after year. Wisteria in particular provides lovely lavender, white, pink, or blue composite flowers that droop beautifully off the vine's main branches. Keep in mind, though, that the vine is ambitious and should definitely be kept off of buildings.

Proper pruning helps keep it where you want it and also encourages blooming. "Asian wisteria vines can be cut back in winter when the plant is dormant, and most of the leaves have fallen off, so you can get better access and a good view of what you're cutting," says Jentz. "You can cut back anything dead or damaged all the way back to the trunk."

She recommends cutting back any vertical leaders reaching beyond your preferred height—these can be trimmed by about one-third. "Finally, any side branches can be cut back to two to three buds," she says. "The buds are where the new growth will emerge in spring." Note that some varieties, like American wisteria, should be pruned back in the spring, immediately after flowering.

• Zones: Generally 4 to 9, possibly zone 3 with some varieties of wisteria
• Mature size: The vine can spread over 30 feet in various directions
• Care requirements: Full or partial sun, moist, slightly acidic soil

Daylily

Daylilies liven up the landscape with their bold, brilliant blossoms and charming colors; their thick, hardy foliage provides a beautiful accent in the garden—even when the plant isn't in bloom. But winter—when the plant is finished for the growing season—is a fine time to do some Hemerocallis maintenance.

"Daylilies should also be cut back after the first frost," says landscape designer Jan Johnsen. However, don't cut them back too early. "Let the green foliage remain as long as you can. The green leaves make energy for the plant to thrive."

Johnsen suggests waiting for the foliage to die back naturally: "When most of the leaves have become brown and limp, it's time to cut back. You should use pruning shears to make a clean cut and prune back to the base of the daylily plant."

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature size: 24 to 48 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full to partial sun, well-drained soil

Bee Balm

If you haven't already cleaned up your bee balm prior to winter, now's the time. The tall, thin stalks that proudly support their vivid blossoms in the summer have by then faded to a crumbly brown. The plant will begin growing again in the spring, of course, but it will do so from the ground up with fresh growth—there's no reason to keep the old stalks in place for winter. 

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature size: 36 inches tall x 8 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun, plenty of water, well-drained soil

Catmint

Catmint stays busy all summer as a pollinator's paradise, but when winter arrives, it needs a bit of help. "Another popular perennial damaged by the cold days of winter is catmint," says Johnsen. "The withered foliage should be cut back to 2 to 4 inches high after a first frost, or later in winter."

Take care of your catmint, and you'll be blessed with prolific growth, great scent, and attractive blossoms in the next growing season. 

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature size: About 24 inches tall by about 24 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial sun

Hosta

Hostas can be a valuable part of your landscaping, providing rich, beautiful foliage to help add structure and balance to your blooms. But this impressive foliage means you have some maintenance to do after the growing season is over.

"One of the most important perennials to cut back, in my opinion, are hostas," says Johnsen. "Remove the old and tattered leaves a few inches above the ground after the first frost. This is important because decaying hosta leaves can shelter slugs— which may damage emerging leaves in the spring."

Johnsen notes that rodents, such as voles, may also try to build a winter home in old hosta leaves. "This can be deadly [to the plant], as rodents may subsequently eat hosta roots," says Johnsen. 

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature size: About 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide, though some varieties may be larger
• Care requirements: Typically full to partial shade, moist soil

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