I’ll never forget the day back in 2001, when the following book arrived in the mail:
And this is no exaggeration … it completely changed my entire outlook on gardening. Within minutes of opening and reading this book, I discovered that working with plants was a true art form.
“The Well Tended Perennial Garden” by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is beyond a “must” for all gardeners/plant lovers (take a peak to the right in the sidebar and you can order a copy pretty cheap through Amazon). I re-read every word of this gem each and every year and have the intention of faithfully following all of the pruning/pinching/deadheading/deadleafing advice. Yet, I never fulfill that promise …
By now, I just about have this book memorized and shame on me for not taking advantage of that knowledge. As the spring progresses into summer, I get lazy and complacent and by the time mid summer rolls around, it’s too late to do anything about it. But not any more my friends.
I’m creating my own pruning series here at ONG titled “Prune in June”. That title comes from the fact that a majority of the pruning tasks recommended by Tracy should occur in June. Plus, who can resist a catchy title that rhymes? Sweet.
This is the year I stay on top of the pruning tasks and capture the results of what I’ve done in June and how it will hopefully, positively impact the growing results of these plants in August, September and beyond.
To kick things off, I am starting with my Boltonia ‘Pink Beauty’ plants:
They have some fantastic late summer blooms:
But without fail, fall over once they are in full bloom:
As my garden has matured over the years, these perennials do get some support from neighboring shrubs/grasses, but there is clearly room for improvement:
So let’s be friggin proactive this year.
Tracy suggests cutting back Boltonia by a 1/2 to 2/3 in early June. I’ll split the difference and document the results as the season progresses.
Here is what they look like as of today:
And how they look now, post haircut:
As mentioned before, I will closely monitor the results as we get deeper into the summer and will be sure to share those results, good or bad, with you all.
Coming soon … Joe Pye Weed.
John
I went to a workshop with Tracy a short time after she published this book, which I do own. I learned quite a few things about pruning from this book and also learned that Boltonia Pink Beauty does not benefit from pruning although Snowbank does. This is just to prove that all Boltonias are not the same.
I loved here chapter on phlox and the effect pruning has on the various pholox plants. You do not want to prune phlox, but deadhead yes!
Eileen
I know it is true. One year we had a horrible hail storm in June and everything had to be cut back to the beginning. It was the most beautiful my garden had ever been. Still, I can’t do it. I can’t cut back a healthy plant. You are braver than I. Good luck.
Ooh, I’m lazy too and have too much to tend to actually think about pruning. Yes, I have too many gardens. Go figure!
I think the term is actually pro-friggin’-active…. 🙂 I need to do the same to my Gaura as it has had a good bloom and it now too tall and falling over. Good post.
I don’t like getting out in the heat by July. So I like prune in June. Thanks for the post.
I definitely do not use this book enough, ONG! Thanks for sharing and reminding!
This is some thing I need to do more research into, many thanks for the publish.
It’s also my “go to” book for all things pruning. One of my favorite things that came from the book is to cut back your daylilies once they’ve finished blooming – it helps prevent that late summer yellowing of the leaves which look so unsightly.
Thanks for reminding me to get this book off the shelf more often.
Hi, I just discovered your blog after visiting Brenda’s Cozy Little House. I love your blog already and I only read the first article. Love the title of your blog. The book sounds like something I’d like to get. Yeah, I’ve read that it’s important to prune in June but do I ever? Nope, nadda and then I’m disappointed when everything is flopping and overgrown. I’m a new follower.
I, too, have a shelf of wonderful gardening books that leave me full of good intentions. Each year, I add something new to the maintenance list. Sometimes I learn, sometimes I don’t…. At least I pruned the lavender this year. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your pruning! Maybe it will motivate me to do some pruning next year.