How to prune cutleaf coneflower

Optional Chelsea Chop in late May–June; full cut-back in late winter. For height control, cut stems back by a third in late May to early June. After flowering, remove spent stems or leave the cone-shaped seed heads for winter interest. Cut everything to ground level in late winter with shears or loppers.

Optional mid-season pinch; full cut-back once annually in late winter. Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a tall, vigorous perennial. You can pinch or cut stems back by one-third in early summer (the Chelsea Chop) to control height and delay flowering slightly. Deadhead spent blooms to tidy up or leave seed heads for birds. Cut all stems back to the base in late winter.

For height control, cut stems back by a third in late May to early June. After flowering, remove spent stems or leave the cone-shaped seed heads for winter interest. Cut everything to ground level in late winter with shears or loppers.