Your garden designs are put to the test throughout the growing season. Even when you are in the thick of the midseason rush, it is worth taking time to assess what is working and what is not. If you find a lot to fix, rest assured that even the best gardens must be edited. You’ll need a critical eye and a framework to help you take stock of the situation and to determine a course of action that will improve the look of your garden.

As a starting point, ask yourself these questions:

• Which plants are looking ragged or untidy? Are any of them overgrown or leaning?
• Which plants are underperforming compared to the rest of the garden?
• Do you have a large number of one plant in particular?
• Do you notice any odd colors or textures?

Take pictures and make a list of things you would like to edit. Writing down your answers will help you prioritize which fixes you’d like to tackle first. Once you start making changes, you’ll be amazed how different things look in even just a month. Here are some examples of small changes that can make a big difference.

If it’s flopping or leaning, give it some support

You can use cages, stakes, or even cut branches to support floppy plants. Feel free to tie up multiple plants with one support. Preventing misbehaving plants from spilling out onto their neighbors is an easy way to improve the health and aesthetics of your garden.

Remove or relocate underperforming plants

Sometimes plants don’t do as well as we anticipated, and that’s OK. If a plant’s size, color, shape, texture, or bloom time is not right for its location, remove it entirely or transplant it to a new spot. This opens an opportunity for some creativity. You could fill the newly emptied space with divisions from your own garden, or experiment with new plants. Early fall can be a great time for transplanting, since daytime and nighttime temperatures are usually moderate and rainfall is often more reliable than it is at the height of summer. Heat-loving annuals are excellent additions for color and drama late in the growing season.

A simple cutback may be in order

Some plants actually perform best when they receive a midsummer haircut. Removing old floppy foliage encourages the plant to push out healthy new foliage, and possibly a second flush of blooms. Species that thrive and often rebloom after a “haircut” include yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Zones 3–9), coneflowers (Echinacea spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9), and catmint (Nepeta spp. and cvs., Zones 3–8).

Overseeded? Rip it out!

Plants that are aggressive seeders, even cherished garden plants, can get out of control. The removal process should be done carefully and with a steady hand. You don’t want to leave one mess where another was. You can remove a species entirely if it is too unruly, or judiciously edit where you’d like it to be. An example of a plant that may need to be edited each year is tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis, Zones 7–11), which tends to reliably reseed itself. If you don’t keep up with it, your garden can become overrun.

Even in early autumn, there is still time for garden editing. My tip: Start with the flopping and overgrown plants. By reining in the most aggressive thugs, you create a brighter future for your other plants. Editing is a constant reality of gardening, and now is as good a time as any to start. Good luck, and happy editing!

—Alexandra Melian is a horticulturist at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Worx WG323 20V Power Share 10" Cordless Pole/Chain Saw with Auto-Tension (Battery & Charger Included)

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

[12’ EXTRA REACH] It takes just a few minutes and no tools to attach the pole. And with a reach of up to 12’ and only 10 lbs., you’ll be able to get to branches and limbs before they become a problem. Please refuel before use, but oil is sold separately. [FAST, CLEAN CUTS] This cordless 20V PowerShare chain saw is as fast and powerful as anything in its class. And with no gas, and no cord, there’s much less muss and fuss. [SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER] The same battery powers over 75plus 20V, 40V, and 80V lifestyle, garden, and power tools in the Power Share family. [AUTO-CHAIN TENSION] The automatic, tool-free chain tension system ensures you’ll always have the correct tension for the job at hand. [AUTO-CHAIN LUBRICATION] The automatic chain lubrication system not only makes for smoother, more efficient cuts, but it extends the life of the tool. And the oil level indicator lets you know exactly where you stand. [COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT] The saw itself weighs only 10 lbs. You’ll work longer, with less strain on your hands, arms, back, and legs. [PLENTY OF JUICE] These are the same batteries we use on our Jawsaw and in our lawnmowers. They’re powerful enough for those, and powerful enough for a chainsaw.

Buy at Amazon

Felco Pruning Shears (F 9) - High Performance Swiss Made One-Hand Left-Handed Garden Pruners

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The premium pruning clippers are constructed of forged aluminum handles and hardened steel blades. Rotating handle and ergonomic shock absorbers for increased comfort. This high-performance pruner features a wire cutter for small wires and a sap groove to minimize the blade sticking. Hardened steel blade and screw-mounted anvil blade ensure reliably clean, precise cuts. 8.3-inch (210mm) length, 0.98-inch (25mm) cutter diameter, and has a 0.54 lb (245 gram) weight. Ideal tool for left-handed pruners. Features a cushion stop, sap-groove, wire-cutting notch, and fine blade adjustment.

Buy at Amazon

FELCO F-2 068780 Classic Manual Hand Pruner, F 2, Red

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Comfortable, lightweight, sturdy aluminium alloy handles. High quality hardened steel blades, forged aluminium alloy handles, wire cutting notch Anvil blade with sap groove, rubber cushion shock aborbers. For a medium to large hand, right Handed; the handles have a non slip coating. Lifetime guarantee, all parts replaceable. Ideal pruner for light applications and easily adjustable. Features strong blades with a wire cutting notch. Lightweight metal handles. Blades are made of high-quality hardened steel. Limited lifetime warranty.

Buy at Amazon