Clipping Golden Rod

Hi All, I have a large group of Golden Rod in my garden. Over the summer they looked fantastic when in flower and were awash with bees & hoverflies.

They have now faded & I have no experience with this perennial. Do I prune to the ground or not?

 

You may if you wish. We tend to leave ours though until late winter/early spring as the top growth protects the new leaves from frost. In a milder area we would tidy up now.

 

How far down do you prune in the spring?

 

Right down to the ground - it shoots from the base each year.