How to Prune Phlox Paniculata

Phlox Paniculata are summer flowering perennials that bloom from midsummer to early fall with fragrant hydrangea-like clusters. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, these tall plants grow from 39 to 50 inches and look best when properly pruned. This includes pinching, deadheading and general pruning back. Pinching back is pruning in mid-spring before blooming to encourage a shorter, bushier plant. Deadheading consists of just removing spent flowers to encourage more blooms. General pruning is cutting a plant back after blooming to stimulate new growth and refresh the plant or cutting it back to the ground for winterizing.

Things You'll Need

• Phlox Paniculata plant
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Cut back the entire plant by 1/3 in early spring before blooming to pinch back for a more compact plant.

2. Snip off dead flower clusters to deadhead so that flowering side branches develop.

3. Trim off brown or weathered foliage in late summer to revitalize plant and extend blooming season.

4. Cut back the entire plant to the crown (base) foliage before the first frost.

Resources

• Pruning Summer Flowering Perennials
• Perennials.com