Gaura, also known as wand flower or bee blossom, is a gorgeous perennial that produces delicate flowers in summer and fall As temperatures start dropping in autumn, a common question is whether you should cut back gaura for winter Proper pruning is key to keeping gaura healthy and promoting lush growth. In this article, we’ll go over when, how much, and how to cut back gaura in fall and early winter.
Why Cut Back Gaura in Fall?
Pruning gaura in autumn serves a few purposes
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Removes damaged, dead or diseased growth from the previous season. This prevents issues like fungal infections from overwintering on the plant.
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Cuts away flower stalks that have finished blooming This redirects the plant’s energy into root and foliage growth instead of seed production
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Prepares the plant for winter dormancy and cold weather. Lower growth means less material that can be damaged by frost and wind.
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Encourages new growth and flowering for next spring and summer. The cuts signal the plant to produce fresh stems and bloom clusters.
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Improves air circulation and light exposure within the plant. This aids disease prevention and flower production.
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Keeps gaura plants looking tidy by removing spent flowers and unruly growth.
When to Prune Gaura for Winter
The ideal time for cutting back gaura in preparation for winter is late fall or early winter after several hard frosts. This is typically November-December, but can vary by region and weather patterns.
You want to time it right before the plant goes fully dormant for the winter. Pruning too early can trigger new tender growth that won’t have time to harden off before cold weather arrives.
Pruning in late fall allows time for the plant to seal any cuts and recover before the harshest part of winter. It also removes growth that is unlikely to survive winter weather.
How Much to Cut Back Gaura
When cutting back gaura for winter, you can safely remove 1/2 to 2/3 of the overall height and foliage. Here are some tips on how much to prune:
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For young, smaller plants under 3 years old, trim back only 1/3 of the total growth. These younger plants are less established and pruning too much can stress them.
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For mature, well-established gaura plants over 4 years old, cut back up to 2/3 of the overall height. These plants can better handle a harder pruning.
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Focus on removing the tallest, most unruly stems. Leave lower, compact growth which is more protected.
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If any stems have signs of damage or disease, prune them back to healthy wood.
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Deadhead spent flower clusters by cutting right above where they meet the main stem.
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Remove any dead or obviously damaged leaves and foliage.
How to Cut Back Gaura Step-By-Step
Here is a simple process for cutting back gaura in fall for winter:
Gather Your Tools
Before starting, make sure you have clean, sharp pruning shears or garden scissors. Dull tools will crush stems rather than making clean cuts. Pruning saws work well for thicker wood. Disinfect tools with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
Start With the Tallest Growth
Begin by removing the tallest, leggiest stems emerging above the main plant. These floppy shoots with few leaves often get damaged by wind and frost over winter.
Make your cut just above a lower side shoot or leaf node. Angling the cut prevents water pooling on the cut end.
Remove Spent Flower Stalks
Next, go through and cut off any remaining flower clusters that have finished blooming by now. Clip flower stalks back to the point where they meet the main stem.
Removing spent blooms redirects energy away from seed production and back into the roots and foliage. It also improves appearance.
Shape and Thin Out Middle Growth
Now examine the center of the plant. Shape and thin out excessive growth by removing any weak, crossing or crowded stems.
Aim for even spacing between stems to allow light penetration and air circulation. This prevents disease and encourages new blooms next year.
Clean Up Lower Foliage
Finally, tidy up the base of the plant by trimming away dead leaves and removing congested small shoots. This directs energy to the most robust stems.
Check for any signs of pests or diseases and remove affected foliage. Discard it away from garden beds to prevent spread.
Disinfect and Clean Up
Once finished pruning, gently hose off the plant to remove trimming debris. Wipe down your pruning tools with isopropyl alcohol and sharpen blades if needed.
Dispose of disease foliage carefully. Compost healthy trimmings or use them as winter mulch around the base of the gaura.
Caring for Gaura After Fall Pruning
After cutting back gaura for winter, provide a bit of extra care to help it recover:
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Water deeply right after pruning to prevent transplant shock.
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Stake or trellis any tall, vulnerable stems to protect from wind damage.
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Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to insulate roots from temperature extremes.
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Hold off fertilizing until new growth emerges in spring. Focus energy on root growth for now.
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If winters are very cold in your zone, install a temporary shelter to buffer wind and frost.
With proper fall pruning and care, your gaura will return next spring ready for another season of abundant blooms! The renewed plant will be stronger and fuller than ever before.
Troubleshooting Issues With Cutting Back Gaura
Here are some potential issues and solutions for cutting back gaura in autumn:
Leaves and stems remain green and vigorous into winter – This indicates you pruned too late in fall. The plant is still actively growing and will struggle with frost damage. Next year, prune earlier by 1-2 weeks.
New shoots and leaves emerging after fall pruning – Again, this signals you pruned too late and reactivated growth. Gently remove any new shoots to avoid winter dieback. Next fall, prune earlier before growth fully stops.
Severe dieback of stems after winter – If many stems shrivel and die over winter, you likely pruned too severely. Leave more foliage intact next fall to protect stems and buds. Also ensure proper winter mulching.
No new shoots or sparse spring growth – Extreme dieback can prevent vigorous regrowth in spring. Mark any dead stems and wait until late spring to see if they leaf out. You may need to prune back to living wood.
Flowers sparse or plants not blooming – Overpruning can disrupt flower bud formation. Leave more foliage when pruning and ensure plants are healthy going into winter. Supplement with flowering plant fertilizer in spring.
Signs of disease on remaining growth – Remove and destroy any fungus-covered stems along with nearby growth. Sterilize tools after each cut to prevent spreading spores. Improving air flow with pruning prevents disease issues.
Final Tips for Cutting Back Gaura
Here are a few last tips to ensure success when cutting back gaura for winter:
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Start pruning gaura within 1-2 years of planting to maintain size and bloom potential. Put it on your fall gardening checklist.
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When in doubt, be conservative with pruning. You can always remove more next year, but you can’t replace lost stems immediately!
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Group plants together for insulation, staking ease, and to create a fuller look after pruning.
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Divide very overgrown plants every 3-4 years in early spring to rejuvenate. Prune halves heavily before replanting.
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Consider treating plants with fish emulsion fertilizer in late winter to boost regrowth.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that can attack tender new spring growth and treat as needed.
Follow these guidelines for pruning gaura in the fall for healthy, vigorous plants that burst with flowers year after year!
Preparing Gaura for Winter/Spring
FAQ
How do you prepare gaura for winter?
How do you take care of gaura in the fall?
How do I stop gaura from flopping?
Can Guara be cut back?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, guara can be cut back in late spring. The wiry flower stalks of the gaura emerge from clumps of spoon-shaped to lance-shaped leaves of up to 3 inches long, notes Fine Gardening. Flower buds are pinkish and open to pink flowers that turn white when they fade.
Can you cut back a Gaura plant?
If your Gaura plant has become overgrown, you can cut back some of the longer stems to promote fuller growth. Cut back these stems by about half their length. To give your Gaura plant a more uniform shape, you can also trim back any stems that are sticking out or growing in the wrong direction.
How do you prune a Gaura plant?
Using your pruning shears, cut back dead stems to just above healthy growth. For damaged stems, remove any torn or damaged portions of the stem using a clean cut. If your Gaura plant has become overgrown, you can cut back some of the longer stems to promote fuller growth. Cut back these stems by about half their length.
When should I cut back Gaura?
Gaura should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. This will allow you to remove any damaged, dead or diseased branches from the previous season’s growth. Additionally, trimming back old stems will encourage new shoots for healthier foliage and more prolific blooming during summer. How Much Should I Cut?