Some
plants produce multiple
flowers. Flowers are the
precursor of
seeds. Seeds are the way most plants
reproduce. Plants are smart. Once seeds are produced plants concentrate their energy into their reproductive success by growing the seed. For many plants, this means they stop producing more flowers.
If a
gardener removes spent flowers before seed production is fully underway some plants (especially annuals and repeat blooming perenials) are fooled into making another flower. Sometimes, it will even make 2 for 1 because cutting a stem induces branching as well. Some plants will only make a certain number of blooms but others seem to be limited only by the gardeners dedication to deadheading.
Intentionally removing old flowers, whether for
aesthetic reasons, to move plant energies away from seed production and/or to induce the production of more flowers is called
deadheading....mean to future generations of flowers, nice to the garden.
Deadheading can be quite a
chore in large
gardens.
Roses,
petunias,
zinnias,
lantanas,
pansies, and
cone flowers are examples of plants that will respond with increased flowers if deadheaded regularly. Some plants are "self cleaning", meaning they drop their petals cleanly and don't need to be deadheaded for
aesthetics. Old fashioned
impatiens,
coreopsis, and
azaleas don't benefit by deadheading. Some plants fall in the middle and will do some limited repeat blooming if deadheaded plus have ugly dead flower carcasses.
Yarrow and
lavender are good examples of the former. Some plants simply need to be deadheaded because the spent flower is so
ugly. Some need to be deadheaded because the seed production requires excessive energy which would be better used elsewhere (from the gardener's perspective). Most bulbs, tuberous, and rhizomatic plants fall into this category. We want the energy to go to the bulb, tuber or rhizome. Some plants should not be deadheaded because the seed pod is desireable. Some
rose hips and
sunflowers fall into this category.
Deadheading can be a quite satisfying experience. Walking around the garden, cleaning up old blooms, leaving a
fresh palate while encouraging new growth and sniping a few fresh blooms for the house is very relaxing,
meditative time for me.