It definitely works with hardy hibiscus (H. moschetos). I pinch mine every year, it causes them to be bushier and have more flowers.

I start pinching as soon as growth is about 2" tall, and I pinch at least three times (they grow so darn quickly, so pinching ends up getting done every week or two). Yes, it delays flowering (my show just started over this past weekend) but the results are worth it - bushy, lush plants just covered in buds and flowers, and yes the plants do stay somewhat shorter.

Not sure about coneflower, hopefully someone else will chime in.

Yes, coneflowers can be cut back in late May or early June, when they are about 2 1/2 feet tall. This keeps them shorter and will delay bloom. If you have a large stand of them, you can just cut back the ones in front, so that the ones in the middle will be taller than the outside ones. You'll extend the bloom period then.

Thanks mxk3 and anitamo!

i love this question as i hate things in my gardens for that reason they get so tall they flop over....is there a general rule of thumb of things that you cant cut back, and where abouts do you cut them back?

i have 4 lilly plants in the back of one garden and the one gets to be as tall as me where the others stay much shorter?? should i remove the tall one?

and the same thing with some sedums they seem to be growing tall and thin and not bushy as i would like them too, can i pinch them at a certain time?

thanks

Sedums can be pinched, but I don't think bulbous lillies can. I believe the flower bud arises from the bulb, and if you pinch it off, another one won't form. (Please someone correct me if I'm wrong!!). You should plant lily cultivars according to the stated height - they usually will get that tall.

mxk is correct about the lilies, if you pinch them you will lose the flowers. michellenicole the answer to your question about moving the tall lily is, It depends. Are they all the same variety? If so, the shorter ones may just be babies that haven't reached their mature height. If they're different varieties and it bothers you to have one taller than the others than by all means go ahead and move it after the stem and leaves have yellowed this fall.

thanks for answering, where and when would you pinch the sedums...i have a dozen or so in my gardens, and only onw of them is the way i want it!

and the lilly nope they are all different, i just moved in so im not sure when they were planted. I think ill get rid of the tall one, most are my thigh height or lower and this one is as tall as me i swear, its a giant and it looks odd in my mind.

**i have a question that requires a pic, can anyone tell me how to load one on here....

You can always offer it for a trade on the trade forum and maybe get somthing you would like.

your best investment is to buy the book titled , i think, The Well Tended Perennial Garden by Traci DeSabato-Aust. she gives cutting back info on most all perennials.SUCH a great useful book.
best,
mindy

Usually only the trumpet lilies or OT's get really tall.Those are really nice lilies, instead of tossing it you may just want to find a different spot for it or trade it for something else. Sorry, but I'm a major lily lover and can't imagine tossing one.

I felt the same way that you did about perennial plants that flop and fall over one another. However, after spending much time trying to make the garden have that "perfect" look, I've about decided to give it up and accept the fact that perennials just like to "lean" on one another (sometimes devour). If you let them do their own thing it does have a cottage look to it and an unkept, natural look. You may not want to give that a try, but it certainly has allowed me to sit back and enjoy the garden more rather than fuss over their natural growth habits. Don't get me wrong though...I get where you're coming from. I still struggle with wanting that "perfect" look.

Here is a link that might be useful: Perennial and Rose Gardening Site