Blog, Garden Blog, Garden Tips

Deadheading 101: Keep Your Flowers Blooming Strong

Posted on by admin
07
Jul

Simple Tips from Donaldson’s Greenhouse to Extend the Summer Show

At Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery, we want your summer garden to stay vibrant and full of color all season long. One of the easiest ways to keep your flowers blooming strong is by practicing a simple gardening technique: deadheading.

What Is Deadheading?

Deadheading is the process of removing spent or faded blooms from your plants. By snipping off these old flowers, you redirect the plant’s energy into producing new blooms instead of forming seeds. The result? More flowers, better shape, and a longer-lasting display.

Why Deadhead?

  • Encourages continuous blooming

  • Improves overall plant appearance

  • Reduces self-seeding in some varieties

  • Prevents disease by removing decaying blooms

Plants That Love Deadheading

While not all flowers need it, many benefit greatly. Some of our favorites here at the garden center include:

  • Petunias – A staple in many Hackettstown containers, petunias can get leggy if not deadheaded regularly. Pinch back blooms just above a set of leaves.

  • Geraniums – Remove the entire spent flower stalk to encourage more buds to form.

  • Zinnias & Marigolds – Snip faded flowers to keep the show going strong.

  • Coneflowers (Echinacea) & Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) – Deadheading early in the season encourages a second flush of flowers. Later in the season, leave some for the birds!

  • Salvia & Veronica – Cutting back the flowering stalks after bloom encourages a fresh new flush of flowers.

How to Do It

Use a small pair of pruners or simply pinch with your fingers:

  1. Identify the faded flower.

  2. Follow the stem down to the first set of healthy leaves.

  3. Snip or pinch just above the leaves or node.

It’s that easy — and it makes a noticeable difference.

Donaldson’s Tip: Make It a Habit

A quick walk around your garden with a cup of coffee or iced tea in the morning is the perfect time to deadhead. Not only does it benefit your plants, but it also gives you a chance to enjoy your garden up close.

Stop by Donaldson’s Greenhouse this month and let us help you choose summer blooms that will reward you all season long — especially with a little deadheading love. Our team is always here to answer your questions and recommend the best tools and plants for the job.

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