Coral Bells
February
If you have time, I would sure like to know when you would recommend pruning Crape
Myrtles, Lantana, Coral Bells, Weigela, and Dwarf Maiden Grass. We planted all these
plants last summer.
There are several different types of plants you are asking about from annuals to perennials
to woody shrubs. Let's start with the woodies. Crape myrtles bloom on new growth.
If they need it, prune them before new growth begins in late Feb. Weigelia is a late
spring bloomer, but it has its flower buds set now, so prune it after it blooms. All
ornamental grasses benefit from a haircut before new growth begins--in late Feb through
mid March. Before pruning, check to see how much new growth there is, and then cut
as low as possible, without cutting into any new green. Coral Bells--or heuchera (
I assume you mean the perennial--not Coral bell azaleas) is a semi-evergreen perennial.
Often you will have some cleanup to do in the spring before new growth begins. Lantana
is a summer annual/perennial. In some parts of the state it comes back easier than
in others. It is rare to see any lantana resprouting above ground. Usually it will
come back from the crown, with the upper portions burned back by winter, so cutting
back the dead foliage before new growth begins is beneficial.
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