Avoid Pruning This Perennial In Fall For A Stronger, Healthier Plant In Spring

When it comes to cleaning up your plants and getting them ready for the next growing season, you may think that fall is the best time to do this. It makes sense, as it's when everything is already dying off, and the plants need to conserve as much energy as possible to survive until they can produce new growth in the spring. However, while this may work for some plants, there are quite a few that don't do well with fall trimming and pruning. One of these is a plant known as coral bells (Heuchera spp.), which is a perennial that grows thick and lush leaves in a variety of colors. These are beautiful plants, and there are several varieties of coral bells you should consider growing in your garden. But first, you need to know how to care for them properly, especially when it comes to pruning them.

Coral bells are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, though they can tolerate 3 and 10 with some extra care as well. You may think you are helping your plant when it comes to trimming it back in the fall before the cold hits, but with these plants, you may be actually doing more harm than good. Despite their messy appearance as the foliage dies off, this is one of those perennial plants you want to avoid pruning in the fall at all costs if you want a hearty and thriving plant.

The reason you shouldn't look at trimming coral bells in the fall is that, as the cold sets in, the large leaves will start to wither and die. Though they don't look attractive, the way this plant's foliage settles down and dies actually saves it during the winter. These leaves offer some insulation, which helps to protect the crown and the roots of the plant, and stops it from dying off, even when the chill sets into the earth. While it's still possible that some parts of your coral bells, especially those on the outside of the dead foliage, will still be damaged from frosts, it's a far smaller amount than would be injured without the leaves as protection. 

Even in the warmest parts of its range, where coral bells act as an evergreen, there is still danger of pruning during this season, and it's a good idea to just wait. The colder days could still potentially cause damage to the crown of the plant, so it's best to keep as much insulation around the base as possible. This also means that you want to avoid pruning it during winter, as you are faced with the same issue. Though you shouldn't prune coral bells in the fall, there are periods where you can take care of the plant and cut it back as necessary.

Coral bells actually do best when taken care of during spring. Early in the season, before any new growth, but after the threat of frost, you can help slow down overcrowding by carefully cutting it back or simply trimming off the dead leaves. Additionally, after the flowers have bloomed, you can cut back some of the plant to encourage it to focus on producing more beautiful leaves instead of growing larger. During these two periods, it's also a great time to cut back any damaged or dying areas. If some of the plant is starting to look leggy during the growing season, you can cut those parts back. Pinching off flowers to encourage growth and deadheading are also acceptable during this time.

If you did end up accidentally pruning your plant in the fall without realizing the dangers, there are a few steps you can take to help give it a chance to survive. Covering it up to prevent frost damage and adding a healthy layer of mulch and compost, like you would to keep other plants warm, are your best options. It is also a great option if you are planting coral bells during this season. They are a colorful evergreen you should plant in the fall to enjoy next spring and summer, but it may need a little help to get through the worst parts of winter.