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Nov 16, 2015 6:15 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Frank Richards
Clinton, Michigan (Zone 5b)

Hydrangeas Peonies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Master Level
I was browsing the university of Minnesota's web site. They have a research program on mums that I was interested in.

This caught my attention:

"Tests show that garden mums survive the winter better when the above-ground dead plant stems are not removed in the fall. This is also a beneficial technique to use with other herbaceous perennials."

This made my day! Another task I can put off until Spring:)
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Nov 16, 2015 6:56 PM CST
Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt
Beekeeper Bee Lover Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Cottage Gardener Herbs Wild Plant Hunter
Hummingbirder Butterflies Birds Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Organic Gardener Vegetable Grower
I have to leave some perennials with some ''stuff'' or I forget they are there and try to plant on top of them in the excitement of spring. Smiling
..a balanced life is worth pursuit.
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Nov 17, 2015 4:49 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Frank Richards
Clinton, Michigan (Zone 5b)

Hydrangeas Peonies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Master Level
Also, I leave the perennials standing until Spring for the birds.
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Nov 17, 2015 7:12 PM CST
Name: Bob
Vernon N.J. (Zone 6b)
Aquarium Plants Bookworm Snakes Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Heucheras
Echinacea Hellebores Dog Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Hostas Region: New Jersey
I had read years ago to not cut perennials below 8 or so inches to help protect the crown of the plant. I know this has helped my Echinacea survival rate.
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Nov 17, 2015 8:46 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
The standing stems collect the snow cover too.
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Nov 17, 2015 9:36 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
LOL, Caroline -- can't be too much of a problem for you (or me!) with respect to collecting snow cover, with or without the stems...

But, all very good reasons for putting off until tomorrow (or next spring) what we might think we need to do today! Thumbs up

(and the regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting of the gardening procrastinators club will be held on Friday...)
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Nov 26, 2015 4:53 PM CST
OH (Zone 5a)
Hostas
"(And the regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting of the gardening procrastinators club will be held on Friday...). Hilarious!
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Nov 28, 2015 12:18 AM CST
Name: David Laderoute
Zone 5B/6 - NW MO (Zone 5b)
Ignoring Zones altogether
Seed Starter Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Level 1
I leave pretty much everything in situ over winter. If something looks absolutely horrible, I may cut it down to 8 inches or so. Otherwise, I leave everything til Spring.

Perennials benefit from it and it provides insects and wildlife something of use rather than barren dirt. Many birds also love to eat seeds that are left and/or perch.

And many things provide a lot of winter interest to view - i.e. all the ornamental and native grasses.

So I wait til Spring. Timing wise, I cut stuff down when I prune my Butterfly Bushes ~ April 15. If something is starting to come up, of course I prune it then.
Seeking Feng Shui with my plants since 1976
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