Pruning Stonecrop 'Matrona'

Sedum 'Matrona' requires minimal pruning, but a once-yearly cut-back keeps plants tidy and vigorous. The best time to prune is in March or April, just as new growth begins to emerge at the base. Many gardeners leave the spent flower heads standing over winter—they look attractive rimmed with frost and provide food and shelter for insects and birds—so spring pruning fits naturally into this approach. Use secateurs or garden shears to cut back all the previous year's stems to within a few centimetres of ground level, just above the fresh shoots. The old stems will be dry and woody by spring, making them easy to remove. If you prefer a tidier winter garden, you can cut back in late autumn after flowering finishes, but you'll sacrifice the architectural interest and wildlife value of the seed heads. During the growing season, no further pruning is necessary. Deadheading is not required and won't encourage more flowers; 'Matrona' blooms once from late summer into autumn. If stems become damaged or diseased during the season, simply snip them out at the base. Occasionally, very rich soil or shade can cause stems to flop; if this happens, you can trim back by about a third in late May or early June to encourage bushier, sturdier growth, though this may delay flowering slightly. In general, though, this sedum is self-supporting and asks very little of you.