Leaving the remains of last season’s perennials in place over winter provides valuable food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife, but the time does come to cut them back before the new growth starts. The clock may be ticking; the time may be nigh to cut down perennials in February.
There are two main reasons to cut down perennials in February. Firstly, it gives new stems the chance to emerge without being blocked or impeded by old growth. And secondly, pests and diseases can overwinter in dead stems and leaves, ready to infect the new growth as it appears in spring.
