10 Perennials You Should Cut Back in the Summer for More Blooms
Tips for Gardening in Louisville, Kentucky
Gardening in Louisville, KY, offers the perfect blend of Southern warmth and Midwestern reliability. But even in our fertile Ohio Valley soil, perennials can lose their luster if not properly maintained. One of the best ways to keep your flower beds bursting with color is by cutting back certain perennials during the summer months. This practice—called deadheading or shearing—encourages plants to redirect energy into producing more blooms rather than seed.
Here are 10 perennials that thrive in Louisville’s Zone 6b climate and benefit from a summer trim:
1. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Why Cut Back: After the first flush of flowers fades, coreopsis can start to look ragged. Shearing it back by one-third encourages a fuller second bloom and prevents legginess.
2. Salvia
Why Cut Back: Salvia’s first round of blooms peaks in late spring or early summer. By trimming stems down to the base of new growth, you’ll get a vibrant encore in mid to late summer.
3. Catmint (Nepeta)
Why Cut Back: Once its soft purple blooms fade, catmint tends to sprawl. Cutting it back encourages a neater habit and a fresh round of fragrant flowers.
4. Veronica (Speedwell)
Why Cut Back: Trimming after the first bloom helps reduce disease and encourages a cleaner, second flowering late in the summer.
5. Shasta Daisy
Why Cut Back: Deadhead individual blooms, or shear off spent stems once the main flush is done. This can trigger a second, though smaller, bloom cycle.
6. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Why Cut Back: After flowering, bee balm can become mildewy and untidy. Prune it back to encourage fresh growth and to reduce powdery mildew risk.
7. Yarrow (Achillea)
Why Cut Back: Once the flower heads fade, cutting them down to lateral buds can result in a second bloom and a tidier plant.
8. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Why Cut Back: Though often left for seedheads (great for wildlife), cutting some flowers midseason encourages new blooms and extends the show into fall.
9. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Why Cut Back: These bloom machines thrive when deadheaded frequently. You can also shear them back by one-third if they start to decline in midsummer.
10. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Why Cut Back: Remove spent flower stalks and yellowing leaves to encourage reblooming varieties to keep going strong through August.
Bonus Tips for Gardening in Louisville:
- Water consistently during dry spells; cut-back perennials will need hydration to recover and rebloom.
- Add a light layer of compost or slow-release fertilizer after pruning to give plants an extra boost.
- Watch the weather: Avoid cutting back during extreme heat waves. Aim for early morning or late evening on cooler days.
By giving your garden a little midseason attention, you’ll keep it looking lively and colorful well into the fall. These simple cuts now will pay off with more blooms and a longer-lasting display that makes the most of Louisville’s growing season.
Need help rejuvenating your landscape this summer? Reach out to us for professional seasonal maintenance or perennial garden design tailored to the Louisville climate.
