How to prune baptisia 'purple smoke'

Late winter to early spring; optional deadheading after spring flowering. After bloom, cut spent flower stems back to the main basal foliage if desired. In late winter, cut the entire plant back to ground level to remove old woody stems before the crown pushes new growth.

Annually (late-winter cutback); deadheading optional after flowering. Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' needs little pruning. Like all Baptisia, it forms a long-lived, shrub-like clump and resents root disturbance. Remove spent flower stalks after the purple-blue blooms fade if tidiness is preferred, or leave the inflated seed pods for winter interest. Cut all stems back to the ground in late winter.

After bloom, cut spent flower stems back to the main basal foliage if desired. In late winter, cut the entire plant back to ground level to remove old woody stems before the crown pushes new growth.