86 PruninG Perennials
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
When I was first asked to write about pruning herbaceous plants for the Brooklyn
Botanic Garden Record Book (Pruning Techniques), I thought it would be a
straightforward topic. As I continued to work on the subject, writing a magazine
article then beginning to lecture and to work on this book, I came to realize how
very complex a topic it is because of the many variables involved.
Ironically, a great deal of pruning is based on common sense and comes
naturally with experience working with the plants. Skill and art develops with
practice. To me, part of the lure of pruning is working with your hands, as a
sculptor might, shaping, forming, trimming. It can be a nurturing and gratifying
(almost spiritual) experience. In my travels I have talked with gardeners from
around the country, and it is always wonderful to watch how the best of them can
look at a plant and naturally know how and when to prune it. This is part of the
complexity of this topic, as the common-sense approach can be difficult to put
into words with specifics. “Because you just do it” is not the best answer! This is
not meant to intimidate the beginning gardener—just the opposite. Don’t worry
about hurting your plants by experimenting; you really can’t do all that much
harm. In most cases perennials are very forgiving.
I will share with you my personal experience as well as the experience of some
of the best perennial gardeners in the United States. You will find that anLush foliage on perennials
develops with pruning after
flowering.