Anyway, let's walk and see. First to notice is any perennials that haven't been cut back are probably looking bleak. Daylillies are easy because the leaves will just pull up that easy and go right in the leaf bag. Winter is a great time to prune; insect and disease pressure is minimized, and the plant architecture is visible. Hydrangeas should be trimmed back now, as well as your knockout roses. The roses will put on a much better show for you next year if you cut them back over the winter. With the roses, make each cut just above an outward facing bud so the new branches that form will grow out from, rather than into, the center of the shrub.
Winter is the perfect time to cut back ornamental grasses. It can be fairly easy to cut back grasses with a pair of pruners, loppers or shears, but you can also secure the top growth with a bungee cord or piece of twine and cut grasses back with electric or gas powered hedge trimmers. This method can be particularly useful on cutting back large sized grasses. Just be sure it's not very windy, or you'll have a mess on your hands!
As you're looking around, you may see damage caused by the weight of the recent snow. I have seen Pine trees, some pittosporum, wax myrtles and even a Little Gem Magnolia that have suffered from the snow. Evergreens have more damage because there is more surface area for the snow to pile on. You need to do some corrective pruning to keep your plants healthy and vigorous. For tree damage, you should consult an I.S.A. Certified Arborist for proper practices to help mitigate damage from broken limbs.
Have a great New year and get out there and get to know your garden. You will enjoy it much more when you know what is going on out there!
Mark Griffith is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist, ISA Certified Arborist, and a lead designer with Nautilus Garden Designs in Hampton Roads www.nautilusgardendesigns.com
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