7 Perennials You MUST Cut to the Ground in Fall/Autumn (To Stop Pests & Disease)

Not every perennial should be left standing over winter. In this video, I'm breaking down 7 specific perennials — peonies, bearded iris, hostas, bee balm, daylilies, phlox, and hollyhocks — that need to be cut all the way to the ground in fall to stop pests and diseases from overwintering and coming back even stronger next spring. In this video, you'll learn: ✅ Why peony foliage harbors botrytis blight spores through winter ✅ How iris borer eggs overwinter on dead leaves (and how to stop them) ✅ Why hosta debris becomes a slug and snail nursery ✅ The powdery mildew cycle in bee balm and phlox — and how to break it ✅ Why proper disposal matters more than just cutting back ✅ Which perennials you should actually leave standing for winter interest If this helped you plan your fall garden cleanup, let me know in the comments which of these plants you're tackling this season. 👍 Like this video if you found it helpful 🔔 Subscribe for more practical, no-fluff gardening tips