Geoff shows how to make the most of your herbaceous perennials once they’ve finished flowering.
Tidy up spring-flowering perennials
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Some perennials, including lady’s mantle, hardy geraniums, heucheras and pulmonarias, can look tatty after flowering. Trim spent growth with shears, or cut thicker stems individually with secateurs. This can encourage a flush of fresh foliage.
Remove spent flower stems from aquilegias, oriental poppies and lupins. Some plants may flower again later in the year.
Feed if needed, then spread about 5–7.5 cm of mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch clear of the crowns.
