Garden Maintenance Tips for Autumn
Summary
Autumn garden cleanup should be selective, with many perennials, shrubs, and ornamental grasses left standing to support birds, insects, and next spring’s blooms. Diseased plants, hosta, iris, and mildew-prone perennials should be cut back and removed to reduce pests and disease.
Key Points
- Leaving some perennial plants, seed heads, and ornamental grasses standing through winter supports birds and beneficial insects.
- Spring-blooming shrubs like azalea, rhododendron, forsythia, and hydrangea should not be pruned in autumn because flower buds form on last year’s growth.
- Hosta, iris, and plants affected by powdery mildew should be cut back and removed to prevent insect infestation and disease spread.
- Diseased plant debris should not go into compost, and dead or broken branches can be removed any time of year.
