On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 13:03:07 -0400, "Ralph D."
wrote:

I am in SW PAzone 5b or 6ish and hate to see the larger beds fading as they
are now. Will shearing Monarda near the top force a fall bloom? Will it hurt
them if I try?

How about Coneflowers?

Rudbeckia?

Don't know Monarda, but both Echinacea and Rudbeckia will produce more
blooms if the old ones are removed. And of course the plants aren't
harmed by a haircut.