Your guide to deadheading

Removing faded flowers is a quick and simple job that can encourage your plants to bloom for longer

- DAVID DOMONEY

By mid-June, the garden is moving headlong into its summer rhythm.

Roses are opening, bedding plants are settling into containers, and perennials are picking up the pace. This is when deadheading becomes a simple job that offers potential for a big reward.

Removing faded flowers keeps plants looking fresh, but more importantly, it stops many of them from putting energy into seed.

The main reason for deadheading is to encourage more blooms. Once a flower fades, the plant often tries to produce seed. By removing it first, in many cases you redirect the energy back into growth and more flowers. This is useful with repeat performers like roses, sweet peas, cosmos, marigolds, dahlias, scabious, and many bedding plants.