Marianne's Response
Should I cut down a tulip stalk after the flower falls off?
Should you cut down flowering plants (i.e. tulips) after the flower falls off?
Posted by paula warner on April 28, 2014
Marianne's Response
Yes and no. Tulips, daffodils, and other spring blooming bulbs can have their flowering stems and faded blooms cut back, but leave the dying foliage alone so it can yellow and ripen naturally. This is how the bulb makes next year's blooms. Other flowering plants can be pruned to keep the garden tidy by removing the faded blossoms, and not necessarily cutting down the entire plant. The hyacinths in your photo can have the stem and faded blooms cut out but again, leave the foliage to ripen in place. You may want to plant some hosta, hardy geraniums, or other perennial in front or around the bulbs to help hide the leaves of the bulbs as they ripen.
Keep growing,
Marianne Binetti
