The Master Gardener Articles

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AFRAID TO DEADHEAD??
By: Mary McCord, Union County Master Gardener

Regardless of the awful sound of this term, it is really quite simple and very beneficial.  Deadheading simply means removing what we gardeners call “spent” flowers, those that have faded, wilted, turned brown, curled up, etc…  

Most beginning gardeners are afraid that if this is not done perfectly, it will damage or even kill the plant.  Unless you really hack away at it, you have nothing to worry about.
In most cases the worst you can do is give them a “bad haircut”.  In fact, you are really helping the plants by keeping them tidy, encouraging new growth, and in many cases, extending their blooming period.

All you need to get started is a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.  In many cases, you can just use your fingers.  Which ones should you deadhead, and which ones should you leave alone??  You can usually tell by just watching your flowers and how they grow.  But in case you do not have the time, here are a few tips:

Flowers to Pinch:
This method is for compact plants that have many flowers.  Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch off spent flowers about ¼” above the new buds.  Flowers in this group include marigold, impatiens, pansy, petunia, dianthus, poppy, and mums.

Flowers to Prune:
For bushy plants with lots of small flowers it is easier to cut the stem, trimming one flower at a time would take forever. Get as much of the stem as possible; don’t worry about cutting off a little foliage with the blooms – it will grow back. Flowers that can be pruned this way include coreopsis, lobella, asters, flax, and alyssum.

For annuals and perennials that have long stems and large flowers, cut off each flower individually getting enough of the stem to keep the plant looking tidy – again, a little foliage removed, will not hurt the plant. Flowers in this group include coneflowers, peonies, daisies, black-eyed Susan, salvia, and zinnia.


Some perennials have multiple long stalks that shoot out of the middle of the plant like tulips, daffodils, hostas, and foxglove. Some of these will contain multiple flowers – snap these off with your fingers as they fade (iris & daylilies).  Then once the flowers are gone, these should be individually pruned, cutting the stem back to where it meets the leaves.

Regardless of the method, deadheading also serves another important purpose; it stops seed production. Plants live to reproduce – the end result of flowering is seed production.
Once seed is produced, reproduction is complete and flowering declines.  After spent flowers and seed heads (usually in the center or just behind the flower) are removed, most plants will revert back into the reproductive mode and start flowering again.  If you repeatedly deadhead, you will put the plant into overdrive; it will produce more and more flowers in an effort to reproduce.  Don’t throw those flowers away, dry them out and look for seeds – in many cases, you can plant these for more beautiful flowers.

OK, now go out and walk around your garden.  Look at your plants both from a distance, then up close to identify pruning opportunities.  Get out your scissors and tidy up!  You will keep your garden looking much neater, keep your plants blooming through their growing season, and have many more flowers to enjoy.