Keep your annuals and perennials blooming all season long.
Anna Cinaroglu / Getty Images
Want to maximize your flowers' bloom season?
Deadheading faded flowers could be the best way to encourage plants to continuereblooming over and over again.
Anna Cinaroglu / Getty Images
What Is Deadheading?
Deadheading is when you remove the wilted blooms (dead heads) from your flowers.
This is not the same as pruning your plantonly the faded blooms are removed.
Deadheading is part of the regular maintenance of keeping a flower looking neat and tidy.
Why Would you’re gonna wanna Deadhead Flowers?
The number one reason most people deadhead their flowers is to encourage more bloom growth.
This works against the flower’s mission, but it’s great for yourvibrant summer garden.
In the same vein, deadheading flowers prevents them from distributing seeds all over the garden and spreading.
There may be cases where you do want your flowers to spread far and wide.
If that’s the hope, go ahead and let the flower wilt and drop their seeds.
But there’s another reason to deadhead your flowers that goes beyond looks.
Otherwise, it’s time to pull out your gardening sheers or scissors.
When to Deadhead Flowers
Generally, you should deadhead flowers as soon as they begin to wilt.
Starting early and often is key.
Otherwise, deadheading can turn into a seemingly endless task.
You should also deadhead flowers after a heavy rain.
12 Flowers You Should Deadhead
Some flowers benefit more from deadheading than others.
These flowers will give you a major return on deadheading investment if you quickly discard any faded blooms.
Others need to remain untouched so they reseed for the following year.
Here are 10 self-cleaning flowers that should never be deadheaded.
Use Clean Pruners
Dirty tools can lead to disease in plants.
confirm yourtools are clean, whether it’s a pair of pruning sheers or a pair of scissors.
If you’re pinching with your fingers, wear gloves (that’s for your own safety!).
Keep an eye out for insects, potential disease, or issues with soil or moisture.
