education

Deadheading Flowers

Annuals, Perennials, and Shrubs

Deadheading a flower is another term for removing the dead (spent) flower blooms. By no means is this mandatory for the survival of any plant. However, in many flowering plant species, it will promote repeat blooming. This process should be done shortly after a flower has died.

Deadheading can be accomplished with garden shears, or simply pinching off the spent bloom with your fingers. Remember, the seeds of a flower grow within the ovary which is typically at the base of the pedals. The main purpose of deadheading is to remove the seeds, not the pedals.

Why should you deadhead?

The number one reason for deadheading is to promote new flower growth. Not all flowering plants will repeat bloom, but many do, and prolonging the color is worth the effort.

By deadheading, you are tricking a plant into believing it is not yet finished with its reproductive task, thus encouraging a new wave of flowers. The flowers store the seeds, which are required to create the next generation of plants. Many people like to save the seeds and plant them in a different part of the garden. The pedals of specific plants may have alternative uses as well. Lavender, sage, and rose pedals can be used as cooking ingredients or fragrances. (Please use caution prior to consuming plants from your garden, as chemicals may have been applied at some point during a plant’s lifespan)

The other reason for deadheading is purely aesthetic. Dead flowers shrivel up, lose their color, and become unattractive. Removing the dead flowers will simply make the plant look better. If left alone, many species’ spent blooms will dissipate over time, though some will not.

Will all flowering plants repeat bloom?

No. You may need to do a little research to find out exactly which plants will repeat bloom. Consult a professional or review several online plant indexes for a consensus. Or simply give deadheading a try. You will not hurt a plant by removing dead flowers, and you will improve its appearance.

Some popular local plants that are known to repeat bloom:

Shasta Daisy, Red Hot Poker, Roses, Coneflower, Mums, Gayfeather, Lavender, Dwarf Delphinium, Yarrow, Catmint, Butterfly Bush, Hardy Geranium, Bellflower, Black-eyed Susan, Red Feathers, Blanket Flower, Jupiter’s Beard, Veronica, Stella de Oro Daylily, Stonecrop Sedum, Coreopsis, Pin Cushion Flower, Salvia, Dianthus.

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Landscape Maintenance Schedule

Spring:

Early
· Pruning/Cleanup

Mid
· Activate your irrigation system
· Fertilize your lawn and planting beds
· Spring Cleanup
· Remove all tree wrap

Late
· Weeding/Chemical application (pre-emergent)
· Core aeration
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Summer:    

Early
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·  Sprinkler check and adjustment

Mid
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· Weeding/Chemical application

Late
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· Fertilize your lawn and planting beds
· Pruning/Cleanup

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· Aerate

Mid
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Late
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Early
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Mid
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Late
· Winter watering- lawn and planting beds
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