Question from a newbie on perennials

[Neighbor]

I have some black-footed daisies and coleus. Do I need to cut these back or do I just let them go? If cutting back, how much? I also have some day lillies. Do I do anything with them?

[sandih]

Blackfoot daisies are perinnials and will come back next year, you can dead-head them to possibly get more bloom out of them. The coleus are annuals and if left alone can get very tall. you can pinch them back to encourage them to "bush up" a little but I wouldn't prune them severely. The daylillies can be left alone. After the bloom dies you can remove it, but leave the green leaves. Once winter comes you can "clean up" the garden and remove all the dead leaves.

[Neighbor]

Thanks!

[mattk]

Hello Neighbor! You want to make sure that your Blackfoot daisies don't stay wet during cold weather. They require excellent drainage. So, don't give them extra water whenever it may be freezing, and make sure the soil has lots of organic matter and drains well.