Trim them back or remove individual plants? How to Divide Overgrown Perennials. How to Prune Shrubs. Cut the plant down with pruning shears to 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm). Prune the hosta in fall when the leaves have died back. Avoid trying to rush and don’t attempt to cut or prune too much of the plant at one time. This way the plant will have taken as much energy and nutrients as possible from the leaves for next spring. Use pruning shears to carefully cut the dead leaves back to the base of the stem. How to Prune Begonias. Hostas, or plantain lilies, are the perfect low-maintenance perennials to fill out your summer garden. Dividing, Transplanting, and Moving Overgrown Hostas. For example, you can begin cutting back hosta plants if you don’t want the hosta flowers. Begonias make a great addition to the shaded areas of your garden or your house, but they need to be pruned to control their spread, keep their foliage thick and avoid an overgrown look. Plants with tuberous roots, like peonies, or rhizomes, like bearded iris, should be cut apart with a knife. share. It may seem odd to snip off the flowers from an ornamental, but keep in mind that the glory of hostas is their foliage. 7 comments. Knock loose soil from the root ball onto a tarp, if desired, so you can save any soil that falls off the root ball. What do you do with all of your established flowerbeds when you are planning to add on to … Dividing, Transplanting, and Moving Overgrown Hostas. Remove the stalks before they flower on foliage varieties that produce small or unattractive flowers. This method works best on perennials with fibrous or fleshy roots, such as hostas, phlox, asters, and rudbeckia. How to handle overgrown Hostas? Taking steps to properly prune your hostas will ensure that they grow big and beautiful all season long. Here is the easiest, fastest way to thin and separate overgrown hostas while propagating new plants to grow or share. 4 months ago. Remove these leaves at their bases, where they emerge from the main plant. Trim off the flower stalk at its base. How to Prune Hostas - Cutting Back Your Hostas Prune your hostas after the first frost. 4. Trim them back or remove individual plants? Perennials bloom year after year, but over time, the plants may get crowded and the flowers won't appear as strong or full as they used to. How to Remove Hostas. May I hop in here and ask further questions about the not pruning Hostas? I regularly "prune" my blue leaved hostas by cutting leaves that overshadow other plants and use the leaves in flower arrangements. Cut the stalks after the blooms wilt on varieties that produce attractive flowers. How to handle overgrown Hostas? Sort by. Reposition the spade and pry the root ball until you can lift the entire hosta plant out of the hole. Can you cut back hostas? Yes, there’s no law against pruning hosta plants, and if you decide to undertake the task, your garden will thank you. Posted by. What do you do with all of your established flowerbeds when you are planning to add on to … u/SuburbanDad5595. Expert: Amanda Kantor Bio: Amanda Kantor is the retail manager … How to Care for Hostas. Spring 2012. Insert the spade in the cut circle and pull back on the handle to pry the hosta plant out of the soil. Herbicides will kill entire clumps of hostas, rather then control the size of the plants. When pruning your hostas, take your time and make small, deliberate cuts. 71% Upvoted. ... How to Divide Overgrown Perennials. Lay down a 1 in (2.5 cm) layer of mulch to insulate your hosta plant. 1. Learn how to cut & groom hostas in this free online instructional gardening video. Start by digging around the plant edg… When I do this the underlying structure of the plant is exposed and it appears there are new crowns that can be separated and moved. Question. Close. Lets remove the mystery behind hostas. Spring 2012. What are your thoughts? save hide report. Log in or Sign up log in sign up. Question. ... allowing the plant to re-sprout readily if cut back.