The practice of deadheading, or removing flowers from a plant as they fade to promote even more flower production, will give you more blooms than you thought possible! This simple technique can be applied to both annuals and perennials to give you a longer blooming season. Read on to learn how and why to deadhead, when to do it, and when to skip it.
Why Deadhead?
Want more flowers? Deadheading, or pinching off the spent flowers from a plant can encourage more blooms to form, giving you a much more impressive display that lasts for longer than if you allow the flowers to stay on the plant. Plants have one main focus: to reproduce. So if a flower blooms and produces seed, the plant’s job is done. Well done, plant! However, if some sly gardener pinches off the flowers before going to seed, the plant gears up to make more blooms in order to reproduce. And the sly gardener gets flowers flowers FLOWERS!
Can you tell I highly recommend deadheading in the home garden?
Not all flowers will rebloom after deadheading, though, it will help the plant look neater as the flowers fade. And there are some plants that I absolutely don’t deadhead because I grow them FOR the seed heads! Poppy, Allium, Crocosmia, Eryngium, Echinops, Luneria, Nigella, daylilies, irises, and roses (for rose hips) provide a bounty of decorative materials for crafting with throughout the year. Let these beauties go to seed.
And some varieties of annuals and perennials do not need deadheading because they are just neat and tidy all on their own. I found a great list of self-cleaning varietieshere.
That being said, not deadheading will not cause particular harm to a plant. The plant just won’t have as many flowers for you and the bees to enjoy.
How to Deadhead
Remove the entire flower from the stem just below the bloom and above the uppermost leaves. Either pinch the stem off with your nails or use pruning snips or scissors. It is important that you take off the entire flower and not just the petals because you need to make sure that you are stopping seed production in order to encourage more blooms. Flowers that benefit most from deadheading are multi-branched plants with waves of flowers that bloom over time like the Coreopsis shown here. Other flowers that have responded well to deadheading in my experience are: Aster, Columbine, Dahlia, Delphinium, Dianthus, Geum, Marigold, Monarda, Petunia, Phlox, Hollyhock, Lavender, Lupin, Astriantia, Echinacea, Lychnis, Shasta Daisy, and Helenium.
When to Deadhead
When a flower’s petals have wilted, that is the time to deadhead it. The absolute perfect time for deadheading each plant will be different depending on the plant, time of year, and weather. I really don’t need to strive for perfection in my garden, through. I just head out and pop off heads whenever it seems like it is needed. Use your judgement and deadhead any flower when it is past its prime and beginning to look wilted, faded, or wrinkled. In all likelihood you will see the plant put more energy into replacing those blooms. If not, well, you plant does look a whole lot better, doesn’t it?
To stay on top of deadheading, it’s best to take a look at your flowers regularly. Try making a habit of walking through your garden every day and deadhead blooms as you go on your tour. This process can be meditative and is a nice way to force yourself to literally stop and smell the flowers on a regular basis. You will also get a chance to see any food that can be harvested, any pests or diseases, watering needs, and most importantly, the beauty of your outdoor wonderland.
When Not to Deadhead
There are some instances when it is a better idea not to deadhead at all. Certain flower varieties are excellent self-seeders and you may choose to leave the flowers on so that they will drop their seeds for next season’s flowers. Plants that do this include poppies, forget-me-nots, Columbine, foxglove, and Lobelia.
You also might want to refrain from deadheading in the fall as the flowering season reaches its end. Leaving seed heads and pods helps local wildlife find food as it is becoming scarcer with the colder season, plus you may want to collect some seeds for yourself for next year.
Don’t forget that deadheading doesn’t have to feel like a chore! Use it as a mindfulness tool and think of your deadheading time as a few minutes set aside regularly to really observe and appreciate your garden up close.
MorePosts You Might Like:
- Flowering Annuals to Perk Up a Shady Garden
- Harvesting, Preparing, and Storing Edible Flowers
- Grow These Cutting Roses for Perfect Floral Arrangements
- Gorgeous Bouquets from the Herb Garden
Share this post:
I'm an avid horticulturist with a wealth of practical experience in gardening and plant care, and I'm particularly knowledgeable about the practice of deadheading. My passion for gardening extends beyond mere theory, as I've successfully implemented various techniques to promote healthy plant growth and enhance floral displays.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Deadheading for More Blooms: The article emphasizes the practice of deadheading, which involves removing faded flowers from plants. This technique encourages the plant to produce more blooms, extending the flowering season. The rationale is rooted in the plant's natural reproductive cycle – by preventing seed production, the plant redirects its energy to flower production.
-
Plant Reproduction and Seed Production: The article touches on the plant's primary goal of reproduction. Once a flower blooms and produces seeds, the plant's reproductive mission is accomplished. Deadheading disrupts this process,stimulating the plant to generate additional blooms in an effort to fulfill its reproductive purpose.
-
Exceptions to Deadheading: The author acknowledges that not all flowers respond the same way to deadheading. Some plants, such as Poppy, Allium, Crocosmia, Eryngium, and others, are intentionally allowed to go to seed for decorative purposes or crafting. Additionally, certain varieties of annuals and perennials are self-cleaning, requiring minimal deadheading.
-
Method of Deadheading: The article provides a detailed guide on how to deadhead effectively. The recommended approach is to remove the entire flower from the stem just below the bloom and above the uppermost leaves. This ensures the cessation of seed production and encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
-
Ideal Timing for Deadheading: The optimal time to deadhead is when a flower's petals have wilted. While the perfect timing may vary based on the plant, season, and weather conditions, the article suggests using personal judgment and deadheading when the flower looks past its prime, wilted, faded, or wrinkled.
-
Regular Monitoring and Meditative Benefits: The article encourages regular monitoring of the garden and recommends incorporating deadheading into a daily routine. This practice is not only a gardening task but also a meditative activity. It prompts individuals to pause, appreciate, and connect with the beauty of their garden.
-
Exceptions to Deadheading: The article highlights instances when it's better not to deadhead. Certain flowers, like poppies, forget-me-nots, Columbine, foxglove, and Lobelia, are excellent self-seeders, and leaving the flowers on allows them to drop seeds for the next season. In the fall, as the flowering season concludes, leaving seed heads and pods can benefit local wildlife by providing a food source.
-
Mindful Deadheading: The article suggests reframing deadheading as a mindful activity rather than a chore. Taking a few minutes regularly to observe and appreciate the garden up close enhances the overall gardening experience.
In conclusion, the practice of deadheading is presented as a valuable technique for maximizing flower production, with the article providing detailed insights into the why, how, and when of deadheading, along with exceptions and mindful gardening practices.
