Cutting back perennials

Can someone tell me when to cut back the perennials ? I have mums, bee balm, penstemon (beards tongue), fuchsia, butterfly bush, guara, columbine (McKana Giants). Do I wait till after the first frost? Most things are already starting to get green little leaf buds on them. Also rose bushes when do they get cut back? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Vicki

Vicki, are they from last year?
Susan

Hi Susan,
The columbine, guara,(forgot to mention that) 1 mum, 1 penstemon and the columbine were from last year, the rest the year before. The butterfly bush started out at 4 feet when I bought it. It is a nanjo purple and got to 10 feet last year. I already cut it to about 7 feet.
thanks
Vicki

Now is the time to prune and fertilize roses. It doesn't matter if they are already growing it won't hurt them. The hardy fuchsia need to wait to see if they put out new leaves. If they do you can just leave them. Or if you want them smaller just prune off what you don't want. You can cut butterfly bushes back to the ground or anywhere in between and you can do it now. Everything else sounds like you just need to cut off last years old growth. I usually wait and fertilize during a good rain so I don't have to water it in. You can also fertilize Rhododendrens now.

Patricia, you took the words right out of my mouth! LOL!
Susan

For the roses, yes I agree now is fine. But a good general rule of thumb from the 'old wives' club is to prune your roses when your forsythia starts to bloom! (or your neighbor's forsythia, if you don't have one) I learned that from a really fine gardener who used to live across the street from me.

Melissa, does that rule apply on the east side of the mtns too? I have a neighbor down the road that has a Forsythia and I have several Roses, so I'll try that. Thank you for the tip!
Susan105

This message was edited Feb 24, 2009 10:30 AM

Pixy, when do you want me to come dig up those rose bushes?

I think it applies wherever you live. Since forsythia bloom times change according to microclimate, I guess it's a good way to judge.

Lynn, you have dmail.

Hey Lynn - how do the cutting look? Any roots yet? I'm excited to hear.

They are doing fine. I will take a picture of them tomorrow. I lost power out there today, and in the garage, can't find the problem. I checked the circuit breakers and the GFI's. Joey will be home in the morning, so they should be ok tomorrow.

That's exciting. Thanks!