Deadheading Flowers

What is deadheading & why is it a good idea?

Deadheading is simply the removal of spent flowers from a plant.  Deadheading performs several important roles.  Firstly, it will keep your plants looking neat and tidy throughout the summer months.  More importantly it encourages your plants to keep flowering.  Once flowers are pollinated the plant will focus its effort on produces seeds and will therefore stop producing flowers.  By deadheading plants you can stop this from happening and ensure your plants continue to put on a stunning display.  Deadheading also reduces the amount of water and nutrients needed.

How to deadhead

Deadheading can be done by hand for many bedding plants.  Others will require you to use a sharp pair of clean scissors or secateurs.  It is very important that they are sharp as this will ensure a clean and tidy cut significantly reducing the risk of disease.  For this reason it is important that tools are clean.  Don’t forget to add your ‘deadheads’ to the compost heap.

Reasons to not to deadhead

Not all plants need to be deadheaded.  Those plants whose seed heads provide interest in the winter garden, such as Alliums and Lunaria (Hoensty), can be left.  Similarly the seed heads of some plants, such as teasel or sunflowers will provide a source of food for birds, attracting them into the garden during the winter months.  Finally, don’t forget to leave some seeds to develop on your favourite flowers to sow for beautiful blooms next year!