Rick Stevens wrote:
Hi

I planted a Melanthus major in the early part of the year when it was
about 2 feet high. Its gone absolutely crackers this year and now
stands approx 7 feet high with 4 very large flowers.
I have 2 questions really:

1. Does this plant need pruning/cutting back? If so, when should I
do it and how far do I cut it back?

2.After a particularly hard frost last night, It is looking decidedly
sorry for itself, all the leaves are limp as are some of the flowers,
Will the frost have damaged it, or is it just sulking?


Frost has never done mine any harm - llike many plants it looks sdad while
frosted but comes back.

Pruning?

Your call: It will flower regularly if left unpruned but foliage will be
more erect and effective if pruned hard to the ground - at least that was my
experience. I pruned in autumn now, since i m oved the plant, i don't prune
at all.

pk