A few weeks ago I published an article with the 14 perennials that you should prune this fall. It was a SUCCESS! My readers loved it!
So, given the success of that article, I decided to make another list, this time of the annuals that you should prune this fall, so that they continue to bloom like never before!
It may seem a little “drastic” to prune your annuals, but the truth is that it is a necessary “evil” so that they continue to bloom. Cutting them back helps tidy up your garden, prevents disease, and, for some plants, lets you collect seeds for next year.
11 Annuals You Must Cut Back This Fall and How to Do It Right
1. Zinnias
Snip off spent flowers and any leggy or diseased stems using clean, sharp pruners. You can cut them down to about 6 inches from the ground. If you’re collecting seeds, let some flowers go to seed before cutting them back.
2. Marigolds
Cut marigolds back to about 6-8 inches from the ground. Remove dead flowers and stems to encourage any last-minute blooms before the frost hits.
3. Petunias
Petunias can get leggy, so trim them by cutting back long stems by half to promote more flowers. In the fall, cut them down to the base to clean up the garden.
4. Impatiens
Use scissors or pruners to cut impatiens back by about one-third to encourage bushier growth. In the fall, you can pull out the whole plant after it dies back from frost.
5. Cosmos
For cosmos, deadhead spent flowers throughout the season to encourage more blooms. Once the flowers stop, cut the plants down to ground level.
6. Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Trim back by one-third, focusing on removing dead or diseased stems. If overwintering, cut down to about 6-8 inches and store in a cool, dark place.
7. Sunflowers
Once the sunflower heads droop and the petals have fallen, cut back the stem to ground level. If you want to harvest the seeds, wait until the back of the flower head turns brown before cutting.
8. Salvia
Trim spent flowers throughout the growing season. In the fall, cut the entire plant down to about 6 inches above the ground for a clean finish.
9. Snapdragons
Cut back snapdragons to about one-third of their height to encourage fall blooms. Once the season is over, cut the plant to ground level.
10. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums can be cut back to the ground when frost kills them off. You can also trim them lightly throughout the season to encourage a bushier growth habit.
11. Begonias
Cut back begonias to about 3 inches above the soil. If you plan to bring them indoors, this trimming will help with a tidy overwintering process.
Final Tips for Cutting Back Annuals
By cutting back your annuals, you’re helping to keep your garden healthy and ready for the next season.
Plus, it makes for a tidy garden that’s easier to manage when spring rolls around! Happy gardening!
I d do not understand. You are saying that you should cut back your annuals. I thought animals do not return the next season because they only grow the one time this year and they will not grow next year. If that is the case they will not grow back and you will have a Crump of dried up junk where they were growing this year. Should I not hold these annuals out of the ground and get rid of them and perhaps save any of the seeds that may be around this includes annuals as geraniums marigolds salvia etc..Pleaes help
Hi Bill! Great question and you’re totally right! 😊 Most annuals won’t come back next year on their own, they complete their life cycle in one season. When we say “cut back,” it’s mostly for tidying up if the plants are still blooming late in the seaso, to help collect seeds and it also helps prevent diseases that could spread to nearby perennials or next year’s seedlings.
But yes, once they’ve fully died off (like after the first frost), it’s best to pull them up and save any seeds you want. Then you can compost the rest or toss them. Geraniums, marigolds, salvia are all great for saving seeds from!
Hope that clears it up 😊