:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/luke-peterson-M4DWh2BFwik-unsplash-d81e5c032583447fbb11aad5d4f8e3b5.jpg?ssl=1 "Should You Cut Back Black-Eyed Susans Now or Wait for Spring? What to Do For Better Blooms Next Year")
Key Points
- Cut back Black-Eyed Susans anytime dead foliage appears—it’s optional, not required.
- Leaving them up helps wildlife, soil health, and reseeding for next season.
- If pruning, use clean shears and cut near the base without damaging the crown.
Even though you may feel ready to put your garden to bed for the winter, it’s important to do some research before you pull out the shears. Certain plants can be finicky when it comes to pruning and frost, but that’s luckily not the case for Black-Eyed Susans.
We asked two gardening experts if there is an ideal time to cut back Black-Eyed Susans for winter. Basically, we learned that this plant is very laid back when it comes to it.
Meet the Expert
- Chuck Pavlich is the director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries.
- Candice MacLean is a floral designer and co-owner of The Farm at Glenwood Mountain in New Jersey, a 180-acre organic farm that grows flowers and seasonal produce.
When Should You Cut Back Black-Eyed Susans for Winter?
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According to both gardeners we interviewed, there is no hard deadline for cutting back Black-Eyed Susans for the winter. In fact, Terra Nova Nursery’s gardening expert, Chuck Pavlich, recommends tackling the project as soon as they start to die off and before the weather gets too cold.
“Black-Eyed Susans can be cut back anytime they start to look tired in the garden or in containers,” Pavlich says. “You don’t have to wait until winter. A plant doesn’t know whether it’s been hit by frost or trimmed with a pair of Felcos.”
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You Actually Don’t Need to Cut Them Back
Candice MacLean grows Black-Eyed Susans on her organic farm, and she never cuts her crop back. Instead, she lets them run their own course and allows for the natural composting process to happen. Following her lead will save you time and benefit the local ecosystem.
“I love to be unconventional and leave the plants throughout winter for wildlife,” she says. “It creates a natural garden look, and the dried stalks and seed heads provide seeds for the birds and a habitat for beneficial insects like native bees that may overwinter in them.”
Another perk of leaving your spent Black-Eyed Susans alone is that it allows for natural direct seeding.
If you want to relocate the crop come spring, MacLean adds that you can easily transplant the seedlings that pop up.
How to Cut Back Black-Eyed Susans
If you do want to go the route of cutting back your Black-Eyed Susans, follow these steps outlined by Pavlich.
- Start by making sure your shears are sharp and clean. “Shears that are in poor shape are more likely to crush and tear stems, leaving ragged ends to rot,” Pavlich says.
- Begin cutting away dead foliage and stems near the base of the plant. Avoid leaving the stems too long, but don’t cut into the crown of the plant (especially if it’s a perennial variety). This can create a wound in its soft tissue.
- Remove dead leaves that have fallen into the crown of the plant and discard your trimmings into a compost pile.
Consider Leaving the Seed Pods
If you aren’t a fan of how a natural garden looks throughout the winter, but you still want to garden with sustainability in mind, MacLean suggests removing the dead stalks but letting the seed pods remain.
Seed pods are an excellent food source for birds, and you’ll benefit from the natural re-seeding process and improved soil fertility from the composting process.
“Following these natural processes and focusing on sustainability in your home garden ultimately reduces waste, lowers costs and makes for a beautiful garden the following year,” she says.