Deadhead Flowers

It's worth deadheading your flowering plants to get the most from them and removing any flowers that are past their best. Take them off as soon as they begin to droop as this will help to conserve the plant's energy by preventing them from setting seed. Bedding plants benefit most from daily deadheading as it will extend the life of the plants and encourage them to continue producing more flowers through the summer.

Deadheading techniques vary depending on the growth habit of each type of plant. The spent flowers of most perennials can be pruned back to a new bud or leaf axil, which appears lower down the stem. These include bellflowers, columbines, coneflowers, phlox and Shasta daisies.

To deadhead, use a pair of sharp garden scissors or secateurs to snip off the stem of the dead flower about half a centimetre above the next flowerbud, if one has formed, or where the next pair of leaves joins the stem of the plant if there are no buds.

The blooms of other types of perennials, including coralbells, torch lilies (Kniphofia hybrids) and thrift, grow at the top of long stems. These should be cut back right down to the base of the plant.

How to do it

1.  The dying flowers of summer bedding plants, such as this French marigold, can be simply pinched off between finger and thumb. Alternatively, use scissors or florists' snips.  

2.  Cluster-flowered roses should be deadheaded regularly so that the plant's energy is channelled into the other flower buds. Cut each flower off as the petals begin to fall.

3.  Lilies and other bulbs will start to form seed pods as soon as the flowers begin to fade. Cut off only the tip of the flower stalk, leaving the rest of the stem to die down naturally, during which time it will make food for the bulb to bloom next year.

4.  The tall flower spikes of some perennials, such as this lupin, are best cut back before the last few flowers are finished, as seed pods are already forming at the base. Prune out the stalk to just above the leaves.

5.  Plants which produce masses of flowers, like this lavender, can be given a 'haircut' with secateurs or scissors as soon as the flowers lose their colour. This will encourage bushy side growth and keep plants compact.