Deadheadingisthehorticultural practice of removing spent blooms before flowers set and mature seed. There are several reasons for undertaking this task.
The main reason for deadheading is to promote bloom time. Most gardeners grow flowering plants for the showy display of blooms. Plants that regularly have spent blooms removed will continue to produce new blooms, and for the gardeners, a continuous display of blooms. Blooms that are not removed but are allowed to mature, especially annuals, will eventually set seed. Seed that is set and matures can then be harvested and saved for the following year.
Another reason to deadhead and remove spent flowers is that there are some plants that are prolific self-seeders. Such plants will rapidly set and mature seed, then drop the seeds on the ground—and next year there will be many volunteer plants. There are several huge culprits that may look pretty in bloom but given a chance will overtake the garden. One such culprit is the pretty pink and white evening primrose. The evening primrose flowers do not last long, will quickly set seed, drop the seed, and resow in the same season. Hollyhocks will not go to seed and regenerate as quickly as the evening primrose, but these flowers, too, can quickly become invasive.
Deadheading is most simply a good practice for keeping the garden attractive. Spent blooms take on a ragged appearance, but when they are routinely removed, plants will put on new blooms.
Deadheading is simple. Many blooms can be pinched off with fingers, while others should be cut off using pruners. Cuts are made down to the next flowering node where new stems are formed. Never leave a portion of the stem intact; always cut down to the base of the juncture.
Tidying up the garden can be a daily task if there are many flowering plants, several times a week, or when taking inventory of the garden. Zinnias, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, daisies, geraniums— all benefit by routine deadheading.
There is another thought, however, as we approach the end of summer and look forward to the autumn months. Leaving seedheads on selected plants can provide a source of food for birds in the winter months. For example, sunflowers will drop seeds but harvested head can be dried and left face up on tables. Birds will visit and scavenge seeds until the head is empty.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
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