Q.cutting back red hot pokers
I was trying to get information regarding trimming back Red Hot Pokers. In one of the links to your website it says to cut them back in the Fall. In another link it says not to cut them back until Spring. I live i Pueblo Colorado. We do not generally have harsh winters in our area, but occasionally it can get quite cold. It seems like this winter in particular is no going to bring much snow/moisture/bitter cold. So, the real question here is – DO YOU CUT THEM IN FALL OR SPRING??
joycescott@comcast.net
Pueblo is considered to be in gardening zone 5b. In that zone, the winters are cold enough that the plant needs the protection of its own stems and leaves in the winter, so they should be kept on and not cut until spring. See this article, which describes tying the leaves together above the crown for winter protection:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i310
