17 Plants You Should NOT Cut Back in the Fall!

As fall approaches, it’s natural to think about tidying up your garden and preparing for the colder months.

While cutting back many plants is beneficial, there are some that should be left alone during this time. Cutting them back in the fall could hinder their growth, reduce winter interest in your garden, or prevent a healthy bloom in the next growing season.

Here are 17 plants you should NOT cut back in the fall, and why it’s better to leave them untouched.

1. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, particularly the “bigleaf” variety (Hydrangea macrophylla), develop their buds for the following year in late summer and fall. Pruning in the fall could remove these buds, preventing blooms next year. Wait until spring to cut back any deadwood.

2. Azaleas

Azaleas set their flower buds in late summer for the next year’s bloom. Pruning them in the fall will remove those buds, resulting in fewer or no flowers in the spring. It’s best to prune immediately after they finish flowering in the spring.

3. Lilacs

Like azaleas, lilacs also develop next year’s flower buds in the fall. Cutting them back too early will reduce the number of blooms you get. Save pruning for after they flower in late spring or early summer.

4. Peonies

Peonies don’t need to be pruned back in the fall. The foliage helps gather energy for the plant during its growing season. Wait until spring to clean up any dead leaves or stems.

5. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Leaving coneflowers uncut in the fall not only preserves their structure for winter interest but also provides food for birds. The seed heads attract goldfinches and other birds, so you’ll have some wildlife to enjoy even in winter.

6. Sedum

Sedum, especially the “Autumn Joy” variety, has attractive flower heads that persist through winter and add structure to the garden. Cutting them back in the fall eliminates this feature and can expose the plant to frost damage.

7. Roses (Climbing and Shrub)

Pruning roses in the fall can encourage new growth, which is susceptible to winter damage. Leave them uncut until spring, when you can safely trim back dead or damaged canes.

8. Russian Sage (Perovskia)

This hardy perennial adds beauty to the winter landscape with its silver stems and light purple flowers. Cutting it back in the fall removes winter interest and can expose the plant to frost damage. Wait until spring for pruning.

9. Lenten Rose (Helleborus)

Lenten roses bloom in late winter or early spring, and their foliage helps protect the plant over the winter. Cutting back in the fall can remove new buds or leave the plant vulnerable to frost.

10. Clematis

Certain clematis varieties bloom on old wood, and pruning in the fall can eliminate next year’s flowers. If you’re unsure which type you have, it’s safer to wait until after they bloom in spring to prune.

11. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses provide excellent texture and movement in the garden through the winter. Their stalks also help protect the plant’s crown from cold damage. Wait until early spring to cut them back.

12. Lavender

Lavender is sensitive to harsh pruning in the fall. Its woody stems can suffer in cold weather, so it’s best to leave this plant alone until spring to ensure healthy regrowth.

13. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm seed heads offer winter interest and attract birds. It’s better to wait until spring to trim this plant back to protect its health and provide a food source for wildlife.

14. Japanese Maple

Japanese maples are prone to bleeding sap when pruned, which can weaken the tree. Fall pruning can also expose tender new growth to winter injury. It’s best to prune them in late winter or early spring.

15. Rhododendrons

Like azaleas, rhododendrons set their flower buds in late summer. Pruning in the fall will remove these buds and reduce next year’s bloom. Only prune after flowering in spring.

16. Milkweed

Milkweed is vital for monarch butterflies, as it provides a place for them to lay eggs. Leaving it uncut in the fall allows any monarch larvae to mature and develop.

17. Hostas

While you might be tempted to cut hostas back as their leaves die off, leaving them intact until spring provides added protection to the plant’s crown over the winter.

Conclusion

Before you grab your pruners this fall, take a close look at your garden and consider which plants benefit from a little extra time before pruning. By allowing these plants to stay intact, you’ll encourage healthier growth, ensure next year’s blooms, and even provide winter interest or food for wildlife in your garden.