Do You Cut Back Columbine

Pruning columbine plants back to the basal foliage just after blooming can usually help alleviate any problems with insect pests as well. You may even be lucky enough to get a second set of stem growth within a few weeks so that you may enjoy another wave of blooms.

Do you cut back columbine for winter?

In cold winter areas, prune columbine stalks down to the ground before freezing sets in. If the hardiness zone calls for mild winters, remove the leaves in the spring. Most pruning can be done in the early spring to encourage new growth.

Do you cut columbine down in the fall?

You should prune the flowers during the fall season to limit self-seeding in the columbine flowers. However, if you want to spread the columbines, prune them during the onset of spring season. For pruning younger columbines, hedge shears are recommended.