Deadheading spent flowers means removing flowers as they fade. There are several reasons why it's a good idea to deadhead but the main one is that the practice often encourages a second flush of flowers to develop, so the plant uses its energy on the formation of new blooms rather than fruit and seed. This means you may have a more colourful garden for longer, with some plants blooming right until the first frosts.

Ad

There are other benefits to deadheading: spent leaves stuck on leaves can cause damage and/or mould to develop, so removing the flowers can protect the foliage. Deadheading prevents the formation of seeds, which is especially useful with bulbous plants like daffodils, as the plant's energy is directed back to the bulb which then increases its chances of flowering the following year. Deadheading can also prevent the spread of prolific self-seeders like hellebores, lady's mantle, aquilegias and poppies – simply snip off the spent flowers or seedheads before they ripen and release their contents.

Deadheading is uncomplicated but it can be time-consuming if you have lots of containers or a large plot. However, if you make the time to do it in small chunks of time, say five minutes per day, the job will feel less of a burden.

Sponsored content

Ad
Ad
Ad