How to Trim the Foliage on Dormant Summer-Flowering Bulbs

Summer bulbs send up foliage in late spring, followed by flowers during the long, warm days of summer and early fall. The bulbs go dormant as temperatures cool in fall with the leaves usually killed by the first frost. Hardy bulbs such as lilies (Lilium), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, spend the winter dormant in the garden bed. Tender bulbs that can't survive freezing are dug up and stored indoors. Both tender and hardy summer bulbs require pruning in the fall after they enter dormancy.

Shears
Bleach
Bucket
Peat moss
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Stop watering the bulbs when the foliage begins to yellow and die back in fall. Allow the foliage to die completely, which usually occurs after the first fall frost.
- 2
  Mix one part bleach with nine parts water in a bucket. Soak your pruning shears in the solution for five minutes to disinfect them before cutting back the bulb foliage. Allow the shears to air dry before use so the bleach evaporates from the surface.
- 3
  Gather the dead foliage together in one hand, lifting it so you can see the base of the leaves. Cut through the foliage with shears, removing it just above ground level. Avoid cutting into the neck of the bulb if it's exposed above the soil.
- 4
  Remove all clippings from the garden bed and dispose of them. The dead leaves can harbor disease organisms or pests overwinter if they aren't disposed of or composted.

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