Gardening: Expert demonstrates how to deadhead flowers
While September does mark the end of summer, it does not mark the end of the sunshine for the year.
For this reason, gardening expert William Mitchell of Sutton Manor Nursery has urged that it is “hugely important” to not give up on the flowers that gardeners have been growing and nurturing over the summer months.
The expert noted that these plants will still have “plenty” of life left in them.
William said: “It is hugely important to keep on top of the deadheading of old, discoloured flowers and allow for new growth and more light to get to plants.
“Cutting off these dead flower heads will also allow more of the plant’s energy to go into the flowering and growth of new flowers.”
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What’s more, these old and discoloured flowers can be an “eye saw” in a garden that some will have worked tirelessly to perfect.
They can also be susceptible to fungal diseases which can be “catastrophic” to a garden.
Deadheading them will not only “take away the uglier dying flowers” but will allow for the growth of “newer, more beautiful flowers”.
The term “deadheading” refers to the act of removing flowers from a plant. In most instances, these blooms are those that have started to age and are no longer considered to be attractive.
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On occasion, gardeners may also find that the removal of flowers or buds that have been damaged may be necessary.
Though some plants need only be deadheaded to keep a neat and tidy appearance, others will find that the process is an essential part of their overall health and vitality.
For many gardeners, deadheading flowers is already an important aspect of routine plant care. This is especially true of ornamentals.
Deadheading techniques can vary depending on the type of plant. For many plants, the simple pinching technique can be used.
When gardeners pinch flowers, they are able to quickly and efficiently remove plant matter with the use of their fingers.
This method works well on plants with thin stems and soft leaves. As plants fade out of bloom, pinch or cut off the flower stem below the spent flower and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves.
Repeat with all the dead flowers on the plant. If gardeners are pinching their plants, they should always wear high-quality gardening gloves to protect against abrasions and to limit potential exposure to toxic species.
The results of deadheading a plant will vary from one species to another. Annuals will typically respond more positively to deadheading than perennials.
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