The Basics of Deadheading Flowers

When is the Best Time to Deadhead Flowers?

When the appearance of a plant starts to deteriorate, that is the best time to deadhead spent flowers.

How often a particular plant needs to be deadheaded will depend on how long the flowers last.

This can range from one day to several weeks depending on the plant type and variety.

Why Should We Deadhead Flowers?

In general, when flowers fade, plants lose their beauty.

Depending on the plant type, removing dead flower heads can greatly improve flowering performance.

On some plant varieties, if dead blooms remain, the plant focuses too much energy on them which thereby reduces flower production.

When plants complete flowering, plants form seeds.

Which means, the focus is on seed production as opposed to flowering.

Thus, deadheading flowers as soon as blooms start fading help promote a second bloom.

The deadheading process redirects a plant’s energy from seed production to root and vegetative growth.

Therefore, deadheading flowers is important to do because it keeps plants healthy and blooming.

As an aside, deadheading flowers isn’t just beneficial to plants.

It is also beneficial to the gardener, because removing spent flowers can be a very relaxing and therapeutic process.

Should I Deadhead All Plants As Flowers Fade?

The answer is no and largely depends on the type of flowers you are growing. Certain varieties benefit from deadheading, while others do not.

For example, salvias and catmint benefit from deadheading. They can get a second set of blooms if you remove spent flowers.

But others like columbine, hollyhocks, foxglove, and forget-me-nots like to self-sow and benefit from leaving them be in the garden.

So it is important for the gardener to evaluate whether a plant requires deadheading or not before removing spent blooms.

About Garrett Wade Pruners

When I deadhead spent flowers, I find it quicker and easier to work with pruners.

I started working with these AWESOME pruners from Garrett Wade and really love working with them.

They are solid, really well made and the bright turquoise color makes them easy to find when I put them down on the ground.

Moreover, they are really comfortable to prune plants with, make precise cuts, and are easy to use.

I not only used these pruners to deadhead flowers, but also used them to prune my roses, forsythia, and a few other shrubs that were getting a little out of control.

How to Deadhead Flowers?

Deadheading flowers is a relatively easy process.

I love to deadhead with pruners because it’s a faster and more precise process.

When I pinch with my fingers, I always wind up somehow damaging the plant, so pruners work best for me.

• As blooms fade, cut off the flower stems below the spent flowers and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves.
• Check plants carefully to ensure no flower buds are hiding among the faded blooms before you shear off the top of the plant. You don’t want to accidentally cut off any blooms!

Here are some examples.

Deadheading Flowers on Midnight Salvia

Midnight salvia is an amazing spring blooming perennial that will produce a second set of blooms if you deadhead spent flowers.

Here’s how to do it:

Removing Dead Flowers on Marigolds

Marigolds are a gorgeous annual that blooms from spring through fall. The more you deadhead it, the more blooms you’ll get.

For more gardening tips, tricks and inspiration, CLICK HERE.

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