The biggest benefit of the low and medium cut was that they removed the unsightly stems that can be difficult to remove in the spring. The low cut in Dianthus appeared to have opened it up for invasion by weeds and disease. There was no overwintering damage to any of these species. The winter of 1996-1997 was very mild in Monck's Corner. This study needs to be repeated again to be sure of the ability of these plants to withstand winter temperatures without being pot to pot.
All plants respond to pruning in different ways.
Pruning improved the appearance of many of the perennials by removing the old flower stems. Many species can survive overwintering without being placed pot to pot. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides should be overwintered pot to pot to allow survival throughout the winter.