I have Montauk Daisies. By the time fall comes around, they are so tall that they fall over. Please tell me when, how far back, and how often I should prune them so they are the right height in the fall? Thank you! Gail
Answer
Dear Gail,
In late April to mid-May, cut the plant back to about 8-12”. Remove any dead stems or roots. If the overall stem arrangement is thick or crowded, thin the Montauk Daisy by cutting some of the stems to the base of the plant to create more space between the stems that will allow air to flow through the plant. Thinning also removes the heavier stems that tend to fall over in the fall. Fertilize at this time with a slow release fertilizer like Flowertone. Allow the plant to grow as much as it can until the beginning of July. Then during the first week in July, cut it back by half, i.e., if the plant is 36” tall, cut it back to 18”tall. Cutting it back at this time, basically slows its growth and creates sturdier, thicker stems that will hold up the flowers when the plant blooms in the fall. After the Montauk Daisy blooms in the fall (Oct-Nov), do not cut it back, leave it alone.
It's a great plant to have and good luck with it!
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
