I leave mine as they are,as the birds like the seed heads,but if we get strong winds I shall probably cut them back to about a foot,have had mine in for two years now,and very happy with them and their babies that have sown themselves from last year. I am down South.
I have had a brilliant show this year,the flower bracts are still deep purple.I just love them.
I have a new packet of seeds to sow next spring for the front garden where I have my grasses,should look great amongst those come next summer...good luck with yours which ever way you proceed with them.
I bought one V Bonariensis a couple of years ago - now they're everywhere. They self-seed easily and don't really get going until mid-summer, so I leave them to grow between other plants and when the other plants have died back, the VB is still going strong. I tidy them up in the spring, but don't give them any special attention, they don't seem to need any help whatsoever.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
This is an old thread but it it such a good plant it is worthy of revival. For me some years in Sussex they start flowering as early as April, other years not til early June BUT they go on flowering easily through November and sometimes into December in some years...guess it all depends on how cold the autumn and early winter period is. What a star plant!! What I do is cut them back hard as soon as the cold weather gets the better of them, usually in December or January. This year I want to move some to a different place. I shall wait until they finally do stop flowering (if they do), then cut them back and in a mild spell I will dig them up and move them to their new location, seedlings and all.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
Jo - your climate and conditions are pretty similar to mine. I'd leave cutting them back till spring, but you can be quite sore on them at that time. They'll sprout away very quickly. I've hacked them back to about 6 inches, or a foot if I'm feeling benevolent
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Jo47: I cut them back to about a foot, to where you can see they will sprout from, sometimes lower. Once they do start to grow again, they grow away quickly. That's my experience, some shoots won't make it but those that do will grow well.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
Posts
I have had a brilliant show this year,the flower bracts are still deep purple.I just love them.
I have a new packet of seeds to sow next spring for the front garden where I have my grasses,should look great amongst those come next summer...good luck with yours which ever way you proceed with them.
I bought one V Bonariensis a couple of years ago - now they're everywhere.
They self-seed easily and don't really get going until mid-summer, so I leave them to grow between other plants and when the other plants have died back, the VB is still going strong.
I tidy them up in the spring, but don't give them any special attention, they don't seem to need any help whatsoever.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
This is an old thread but it it such a good plant it is worthy of revival. For me some years in Sussex they start flowering as early as April, other years not til early June BUT they go on flowering easily through November and sometimes into December in some years...guess it all depends on how cold the autumn and early winter period is. What a star plant!! What I do is cut them back hard as soon as the cold weather gets the better of them, usually in December or January. This year I want to move some to a different place. I shall wait until they finally do stop flowering (if they do), then cut them back and in a mild spell I will dig them up and move them to their new location, seedlings and all.
Redwing, goldfinches love the seed heads if you could just leave a couple of stems you'd be well rewarded by their visits.
Jo - your climate and conditions are pretty similar to mine. I'd leave cutting them back till spring, but you can be quite sore on them at that time. They'll sprout away very quickly. I've hacked them back to about 6 inches, or a foot if I'm feeling benevolent
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes you are right, Hostafan1
Jo47: I cut them back to about a foot, to where you can see they will sprout from, sometimes lower. Once they do start to grow again, they grow away quickly. That's my experience, some shoots won't make it but those that do will grow well.
"Quite a few of your relations over today btw Redwing "
Yep! they are on their way!