Sunday Gardener: Pruning flowers for healthy growth

July 26, 2026 - 21:31

Carrie Engel, a longtime expert from Valley View Farms, says that pruning isn't just about shaping a plant or cleaning up dead blooms. For flowers that are clearly struggling, a careful cut can be the difference between a plant that limps along and one that roars back to life. Engel explains that many gardeners hesitate to cut back a sickly or leggy plant, fearing they will hurt it further. In reality, the opposite is often true.

When a flower looks thin, pale, or fails to produce buds, it is usually putting energy into weak or damaged stems. Engel recommends cutting those stems back by about one-third to one-half, depending on the plant type. This forces the plant to redirect its resources to the roots and healthy nodes, where new, stronger growth will emerge. She points to common perennials like bee balm, phlox, and even leggy petunias as prime candidates for this kind of rescue pruning.

Timing matters, too. Engel suggests doing this work in the morning when the plant is fully hydrated. Use clean, sharp shears to make a clean cut just above a leaf node or a set of healthy leaves. After pruning, give the plant a deep watering and a light dose of balanced fertilizer. Within a week or two, you should see fresh green shoots. The key, Engel says, is to stop worrying about losing blooms right now and start thinking about the plant's long-term health. A hard prune now often leads to a fuller, more floriferous display later in the season.