Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs
Perennials
After the dead materials have been removed and plants trimmed, apply a well balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10. The ground is still wet and cold so avoid walking on it as much as possible.
Grasses
Miscanthus, Calamagrostis and Panicum should be cut off close to the ground (6 to 10 inches). These grasses were cut back too high and you can still see last season’s dead stems. If they had been cut shorter, what you would be seeing is new growth.
Shrubs
Cut back dead stems to the ground and remove any winter damage. The first poor Forsythia below has been hacked back so severely it’s turned into a ball of old tangled stems with a few patches of blooms. The last 2 photos illustrate plants that have been cared for properly and will be enjoyed for many years to come.