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Ceratina bee on a cut stem. Photo: Colleen Satyshur, UMN Bee Lab |
A: From a plant health standpoint, it's fine to cut back perennials when the snow has melted and plants are accessible. However, from a pollinator health standpoint, leave some stems intact for use by stem nesting bees.
Here is how to handle this task:
- Stem nesting bees can lay eggs in perennials stems. So as you're cutting perennials back, place the cut stems somewhere in your yard out of the way so any bees nesting in the stems get a chance to emerge. When these bees emerge this summer, they will need new nesting spots.
- Leave some stems about 8" above the ground so they can form new nests. The rest of your perennials can be cut down to the ground.
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Photo: Colleen Satyshur, UMN Bee Lab |
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Photo: Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension |
Composing things would be the best solution however you could just dispose of them in trash bags. In doing all of this, be mindful of new shoots that may be coming up.
Authors: Elaine Evans, Extension Educator and Bee Researcher, Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator - Horticulture