two pruning situations what to do?

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JulieQ Bella Vista, AR(Zone 6b) Nov 09, 2008

Most of the time I don't cut back any perennial foliage when it starts to go dormant, just let the winter freeze take care of it and then maybe clean it up a little. I have a question about two new plants:

One is a monarda that has developed powdery mildew in the last couple of weeks. Should I wait until the freeze to remove the bad stems and leaves or should I go ahead and do it now? Our usual first freeze is mid-November to Thanksgiving.

The other plant is a native passiflora that came up in a cleared area. It did not bloom this year, but it got about 3 feet tall and pretty bushy. Will it come back on old vines, or die back all the way? I would like to see it bloom next year.

Thanks for your consideration.

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lbrabec (Lynn) Omaha, NE(Zone 5a) Nov 09, 2008

I always cut my Monarda down as soon as it's finished flowering.I'm not sure about the passiflora.
Lynn

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plantfreak78 Rolesville, NC(Zone 7b) Nov 10, 2008

It may die back all the way in our zone but it's better to leave what's there alone to help add winter protection. Plus, sometimes you get lucky and some of the stem will survive the winter so your plant will be bigger and better next year.

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