I've got several spiderwort plants that are prolific and huge. About this time of year though they stop blooming. I'm tempted to cut them way back because the foliage isn't very attractive. Is that a good idea? Any chance they might bloom again this year if I do? Thanks!
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Cutting back spiderwort
Submitted by senecawells on July 17, 2008 - 3:05pm.
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You could probably cut back your Boltonia now, as long as it hasn't begun developing flower buds.
Remember that cutting it back will delay the bloom.Like the other poster, I've also cut back Boltonia several times early in the season before it developed flower buds. The results at bloomtime are well worth the extra maintenance!
Tina
JoCo Extension Master Gardener
I looked this up in my perennial gardening bible -- "The Well Tended Perennial Garden" by Tracy DiSabato-Aust. She goes into detail about when and how to deal with your perennials throughout the season, for rebloom or for keeping a tidy appearance. It's a wonderful book!
Anyway, yes, cut back your spiderwort. Tracy recommends cutting back by one third, or even to the ground. In high heat stress, it may not put out much new growth until the weather cools in the fall, but with some luck and enough moisture, it may rebloom a little. Make sure any spent blooms and seedheads are removed so the plant can put its energy into new foliage.
She also recommends cutting back spiderwort early in the season, to give the plant a more compact habit and less tendency to flop. She says to cut them back by half when they're about 12" tall, early in the season. She suggests this pruning technique for many perennials in this book. Cutting back makes for a more compact plant that will bloom a bit later but produce more (but slightly smaller) blooms, and the plants are less likely to need staking. (If you have ever seen Autumn Joy sedums flopping -- this method is a great fix.)
I've been following her advice for years and believe me, it's GREAT advice. I never stake anything anymore, and I am not afraid to get out the shears and give my plants a haircut. In fact, in this heat, I swear they appreciate it!
I cut mine back too. It always seems to come back once it gets water.
I cut several perennials back early to prevent flopping and a more dense bushing habit such as Amsonias.
This digresses a little from talking about the spiderwort, but here are perennials I have cut back repeatedly throughout the season, until about a month before they're due to set flower buds:
Mums
Asters (fall blooming)
Joe Pye weed
Garden phlox
Stone crop sedum (autumn Joy, Matrona, etc.)
Platycodon (Balloon flower)
Boltonia (you get a gorgeous blooming shrub in late summer, not a leggy and floppy disaster)
I'm sure there are more that don't come to mind. Cutting back before bloom time isn't quite as rewarding with shasta daisies, rudbeckia or coneflowers. It's all in the book I mentioned.
Is it too late to cut Boltonia back now? Mine is about 5 foot tall and is staying upright, but I know it is a matter of time before it starts to fall over.