Pruning - Ask Extension
Do you have a Calendar that lists when to prune flowers? When should the following flowers be pruned: Mums, Hydrangea, Coral bells, sedum, gallardia,...
Knowledgebase
Pruning #948466
Asked November 14, 2026, 11:47 AM EST
Do you have a Calendar that lists when to prune flowers? When should the following flowers be pruned: Mums, Hydrangea, Coral bells, sedum, gallardia, Aster
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Generally, right after they bloom so that new blooms can set for next year. https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/yard-and-garden-news/winter-pruning-basics-what-you-can-and-shouldnt-cut-now
https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/caring-for-spring-blooming-plants
BUT, for example daylillies have hollow stems that solitary bees winter in. Leave the stalks.
Some flowers like sunflowers have seed that birds will feed on all summer.
Coral bells any time.
Personally though, clean your garden in the spring, not the fall. There are many beneficial insects including pollinators that go dormant under fallen garden debris. Raking the garden in the fall tears their blankets off.
Generally, right after they bloom so that new blooms can set for next year. https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/yard-and-garden-news/winter-pruning-basics-what-you-can-and-shouldnt-cut-now
https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/caring-for-spring-blooming-plants
BUT, for example daylillies have hollow stems that solitary bees winter in. Leave the stalks.
Some flowers like sunflowers have seed that birds will feed on all summer.
Coral bells any time.
Personally though, clean your garden in the spring, not the fall. There are many beneficial insects including pollinators that go dormant under fallen garden debris. Raking the garden in the fall tears their blankets off.
