GUIDE
Deadheading
4 steps
How to do it
- 1Snap or cut the flower stem back to just above the first healthy leaf or bud below the spent flower.
- 2For spike-flowering plants (delphinium, lupin), cut the whole spike once most flowers have faded, rather than flower by flower.
- 3Alstroemeria is an exception — pull the whole flowering stem from the base with a firm tug, rather than cutting it.
- 4Stop deadheading roses and berrying shrubs in autumn if hips or berries are wanted for winter interest and wildlife.
COMMON MISTAKE
Deadheading spring bulb foliage along with the flower — always leave the leaves to die back naturally, since they're recharging the bulb for next year.
Plants that use it
Their calendar has a job that points to this guide.
Bearded irisFebruaryDaffodilMarchPansyMarchKalanchoeAprilPrimroseAprilTulipAprilWallflowerAprilHyacinthMayPeonyMayPierisMayRhododendronMayAfrican daisyJuneBrunneraJuneClematisJuneFoxgloveJuneFuchsiaJuneHeucherellaJuneLupinJuneMarigoldJuneOrnamental salviaJunePelargoniumJunePenstemonJunePeruvian lilyJunePinksJuneRoseJuneSaxifrageJuneVerbena bonariensisJuneYarrowJuneBaby's breathJulyBellflowerJulyBorder phloxJulyBridal wreathJulyButterfly bushJulyCosmosJulyDaylilyJulyGerberaJulyHeucheraJulyLilyJulyPetuniaJulyShasta daisyJulySnapdragonJulySweet peaJulyAfrican lilyAugustConeflowerAugustDahliaAugustHardy ice plantAugustRudbeckiaAugustZinniaAugust
RELATED GUIDES
Feeding & NPK basicsCutting back herbaceous perennialsMulchingStaking & supporting plants