Frequency of Deadheading Plants: Gardening Professionals Reveal Ideal Timings for Boosting Plant Health and Increased Bloom
Sprucing Up Your Garden:* Daily Bloomers* Occasional Choppers* Colorful Companions* Potted Pals* Q&A
Gardening with Katie SimsAre you confused about how frequently you should clip the blooms from your plants? You're not alone! This fundamental gardening task can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you have a garden bursting with color that seemingly blooms at different rates. But fear not! It's difficult to overdo deadheading, but neglecting to do it at all can lead to a missed opportunity for healthier plants and more stunning blooms.
Just like knowing the difference between pruning and deadheading, understanding that different types of plants require varying deadheading frequency is essential for an exceptional garden. Let the experts walk you through the optimal deadheading schedules for your garden.
Daily Bloomers
For plants like petunias and marigolds, regular deadheading is a must. Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, suggests eradicating old flowers every few days or at least once a week while they are blooming.
'These plants keep producing new flowers, and removing the old ones helps them maintain a tidy appearance and encourages even more flowers to bloom,' he explains. Given their short lifespan, keeping daily bloomers at their best through frequent deadheading can make a significant difference.
Occasional Choppers
When it comes to deadheading perennials, you'll need to do it less frequently - wait for the plants to start looking a bit untidy before you begin removing flowers. Some perennials thrive on neglect, such as stonecrop and lady's mantle, and prefer being left alone.
'The frequency depends on the type of perennial you have,' Julian says. 'For example,some, like echinacea and lilies, only need deadheading every couple of weeks, especially after their main flush of flowers. If the weather is cool and damp, flowers might last longer, so you may not have to deadhead as often.'
Colorful Companions
If you want a continuous display of color from your bedding plants, you'll want to attend to them frequently when it comes to deadheading. 'Bedding plants are grown for lots of color all season, so they need deadheading the most often,' Julian advises. 'Try to check them every few days and remove any dead flowers to ensure your plants remain at their best.'
For instance, you'll need to deadhead roses in beds every couple of days if you want to continue their flowering period. Though it may seem like a lot of work, the end result will certainly be worth it.
Potted Pals
Plants in pots require routine checks for deadheading as well. 'We suggest every few days to once a week,' Julian says. 'Remove any faded flowers as soon as you see them, as this encourages the plants to continue blooming.'
You should deadhead hydrangeas in pots regularly if you want them to continue producing flowers, and the same goes for most potted plants.
Deadheading Essentials
Though you can deadhead flowers by hand, a good pair of snippers will make the task much more manageable. JiveSnip's titanium-bladed snippers are a best-seller, offering precise cutting.
A handy trug to collect old petals and plant debris will take your deadheading chores to the next level. This compact, shallow, and portable trug is the perfect addition to your gardening tools.
When deadheading thorny plants like roses, it's essential to protect your hands. These affordable and sturdy leather gloves are suitable for handling brambles.
FAQs
Should I Deadhead All Flowers?
Certain flowers should not be deadheaded, such as those with ornamental seed heads that add interest to your garden, or plants producing seeds that birds can consume, like sunflowers and cornflowers.
Additionally, some plants may not benefit from regular deadheading, such as certain perennials that are difficult to reach safely, like trees or climbing plants. If you wish to collect seeds or allow flowers to self-seed, then it's best to leave faded flowers in place.
Does Deadheading Encourage More Flowers?
Indeed! Deadheading prompts the plants to channel energy into flowering, which can lead to healthier plants, more flowers, and an extended growing season. 'By deadheading regularly, you are influencing the plant to redirect energy into blooming, resulting in a healthier plant with more flowers and potentially a longer life span,' explained Richard Barker, commercial director at LBS Horticulture.
Now that you understand the importance of deadheading and how the process affects different plant types, you're set to keep your garden in bloom all summer long.
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest trends, expert advice, and more.
Katie SimsKatie has been a freelance writer since early 2022, focusing primarily on all things home and garden, following her completion of a Masters in Media and Journalism. She started out writing e-commerce content for several of Future's interior titles, including Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Livingetc, and Homes and Gardens. Since then, she has been a regular contributor on our platform's digital team, covering news topics, how-to guides, and product reviews.
In the realm of gardening, carefully tending to daily bloomers such as petunias and marigolds requires regular deadheading every few days or at least once a week, as this process helps maintain a neat appearance and encourages more flowers to bloom. On the other hand, perennials like echinacea and lilies only need deadheading every couple of weeks, as some perennials thrive on negligence. For a continuous display of color from bedding plants, frequent deadheading is essential every few days to ensure a vibrant and flourishing garden.
