Dead Heading

At this time of year, keeping on top of the deadheading seems like a constant job in the garden.

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It’s quite therapeutic though and it’s a perfect job to do if you only have a few minutes to spare.

Deadheading spent blooms will mean that the plants continue to produce flowers rather than seeds. Unless you plan to collect seeds from some of your flowers that is.

Try to remove the whole flower head rather than just the petals, you want to remove the part where the seed will form.

With roses, it’s recommended to cut just above a set of leaves that has 5 leaflets on it to help the plant produce a sturdier stem to support the next lot of flowers.

On plants with longer stems such as Knautia or geums cut at the bottom of the stem above a new bud.