Fall and winter weather can be harsh on your landscape. Follow our three P's of fall plant care to ensure your landscape will remain healthy throughout the cold months!

PRUNE

As a general guideline, prune most perennials down to 1” above ground and shrubs can be pruned back by one-third. Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs such as Viburnum, Lilac or Witch Hazel. Spring-flowering shrubs produce their buds in fall, so pruning these before winter may prevent spring blooms from forming.  Ornamental grasses can be pruned in either the fall or spring depending on your preference. 

PROTECT

Protect your evergreens by applying an anti-desiccant, commonly referred to by the brand name Wilt-Pruf. Anti-desiccants are sprays that provide a protective coating to evergreen foliage to help retain moisture and prevent evergreens from drying out.  Burlap is also a defensive barrier, keeping plants protected from heavy snows that can crush and strong winds that can cause windburn. Some broadleaf evergreens such as boxwood are particularly susceptible to winter windburn.

PROVIDE

Provide additional benefit for your plants by supplying a fall fertilizer. Fall fertilizer helps builds a nutrient reserve your plants can access throughout the winter. Your plants will have stronger, more robust roots in the spring, leading to large blooms early in the coming year.