Basal Foliage?

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vickijackson55 Vancouver, WA(Zone 8a) Aug 07, 2007

Can someone tell me where the basal foliage is? At the bottom of the stem the flower grew on or down by the ground. If you are told to cut to basal foliage, they mean do some serious cutting? Sorry, about the question, I did get several books on perennial care, but it will take awhile and my plants need attention. For once everything is growing beautifully!

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June_Ontario Rosemont, ON(Zone 4a) Aug 07, 2007

Hi Vicki! "Basal foliage" usually means the leaves at the bottom of the plant, down at ground level. Why do you want to cut these leaves off?

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aspenbooboo41 Whitehall, PA(Zone 6a) Aug 07, 2007

"Can someone tell me where the basal foliage is? At the bottom of the stem the flower grew on or down by the ground."

Yes, the basal foliage is at the bottom of the flower stem, down by the ground. So, basically when you are cutting back to basal foliage you are cutting off the entire flower stem. I assume you are cutting back for appearance sake or chance of rebloom at this time of year? Otherwise, some plants you cut back before winter, some in spring when you see new growth.

When buying books, did you happen to purchase 'The Well-tended Perennial Garden' by Tracy DiSabato-Aust? It's very highly regarded. http://www.amazon.com/Well-Tended-Perennial-Garden-Planting-Techniques/dp/0881924148

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June_Ontario Rosemont, ON(Zone 4a) Aug 07, 2007

Sorry, Vicki, I misread your question and now I see you intend to cut "to" the basal foliage, not the basal foliage itself. I'm a dummy...

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vickijackson55 Vancouver, WA(Zone 8a) Aug 08, 2007

Yes I am trying for a little extra beauty before the flowering comes to an end. I just discovered "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden" book. What a find, very informative. Hopefully I won't have to bug you people all the time now lol.

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aspenbooboo41 Whitehall, PA(Zone 6a) Aug 10, 2007

I'm actually finding the more I read, learn, and do the MORE questions I have. It's great!

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