Out with the Old, Room for the New

If you didn't cut back your perennial garden in the fall,
It probably looks a little something like this...

Before I do a full fledged spring yard cleanup, I would like to demonstrate some landscape perennial plants that can be left alone in the fall and stay looking neat throughout the winter.

(Left to Right)
 Coneflower, Baby'sbreathn Garlic chives, Flowering Sedum,
Silver Mound Artemesia (above Sedum), Puppybane (top)

Now Russell poses to imply that I need to reconsider his horticultural based common name.
Ok, Puppybalm, only when you're calm

I left these semi-woody perennial shrubs alone to explain where to cut these back.

As intimidating as these look (or will look in the future 4'w x 4'h plus),
 they all can be cut back to the ground (rejuvenation cut).
Hardy Chrysanthemum "Mum"(foreground), Russian Sage (middle left), and Butterfly Bush (background)

I couldn't help but take a picture of this surprising discovery in one of the raised flower beds:

It's a snapdragon plant that actually overwintered!  I've only known them as plants that die in the winter and only could potentially reseed themselves.  Those are leaves coming off a massive stalk!!!

Every garden needs these plants.  I don't care who you are or where you live.

Different types of Sedum.  Any sedum works well for dry conditions, sandy soil especially.
*AND* a lot of them stay "succulent cactus- like" through the winter.

The End...

...of a statue doggie