Snapdragons, Antirrhinum majus, are beautiful plants that produce colorful flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
Snapdragons make a lot of nectar, which is good for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators because it feeds them.
You can help pollinators and attract them to your garden by planting snapdragons. This will be good for both the garden and the ecosystem around it.
To ensure that snapdragons continue to bloom and maintain their plant hardiness, it is essential to deadhead them.
The process of deadheading involves cutting off a plant’s spent flowers. This helps it grow new leaves and stops seed pods from forming.
We’ll look at how to deadhead snapdragons, why it’s important to do it, and some other ways to take care of these pretty plants.
The plant name for snapdragons is Antirrhinum majus, which comes from the Greek words “anti” which means “not” and “rhin” which means “nose.”
This is because the snapdragon flower looks like the face of a dragon or another animal with a nose that looks like a snout.
In fact, if you gently squeeze the sides of a snapdragon flower, the flower’s “mouth” will open and close like a dragon’s jaw. This is how the flower got its common name.
Deadheading snapdragons is an important gardening practice that helps to promote blooming and encourage new growth.
Deadheading is the process of removing spent or faded flowers from the plant before they go to seed.
When snapdragon flowers die and turn into seeds, the plant’s energy is put into making seeds instead of new flowers.
By cutting off the spent flowers, you direct the plant’s energy toward making new blooms, which extends the flowering period.
If snapdragons are left to go to seed, they may spread all over the garden by spreading their own seeds.
By cutting off the spent flowers, you can stop the plant from making seeds and keep it where you want it.
Overall, cutting off the ends of snapdragons is an easy and effective way to keep a beautiful garden display.
It’s a simple job that can be done at any time during the growing season, and the benefits are great.
Snapdragons are a beloved flower known for their cheerful, colorful blooms that resemble dragon mouths opening and closing. These hardy annuals and perennials brighten up gardens with continuous flowers throughout the growing season However, without proper care like deadheading, snapdragon flowering can slow down So do you need to deadhead snapdragons? The answer is yes – deadheading is an essential task for maximizing snapdragon blooms.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about deadheading snapdragons, from why it’s important to how and when to do it properly. We’ll also provide tips on caring for snapdragons and keeping them looking their best all season long.
What is Deadheading?
Deadheading simply refers to the act of removing spent, faded flowers from plants. It entails pinching or cutting off old blooms before seed pods can form. Deadheading is a gardening technique used on many flowers like snapdragons to encourage more new growth and extend the flowering period.
Without deadheading snapdragons will slow down blooming as the plant puts energy into forming seeds. By frequently removing old flowers you redirect that energy into producing more buds instead. Deadheading also improves the appearance of snapdragon plants by getting rid of unsightly, wilting blooms.
Why Deadhead Snapdragons?
There are a few key reasons why deadheading is so important for snapdragons:
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Promotes More Blooms – Deadheading prevents seed pod formation so snapdragons bloom abundantly over a longer period instead of slowing flower production.
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Improves Appearance – Getting rid of spent blooms keeps plants looking fresh and tidy. Snapdragons look unattractive when dotted with wilting flowers.
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Prevents Self-Seeding – Snapdragons can self-seed prolifically if allowed to go to seed. Deadheading contains them within your garden bed.
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Prolongs Bloom Period – Snapdragons will bloom heaviest in spring and again in fall, but deadheading extends flowering into summer.
For continuous color and maximal blooms from your snapdragons, make deadheading a regular routine. Letting flowers go to seed is the #1 cause of reduced flowering.
How to Deadhead Snapdragons
Deadheading snapdragons is easy to do with just a few simple steps:
Supplies Needed
- Sharp pruners or garden scissors
- Small container or plastic bag for collecting spent blooms
- Bleach solution (1 part bleach + 9 parts water) for disinfecting tools
Step-by-Step Deadheading Process
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Inspect plants and look for faded, wilted flowers and seed pods. Mark these to remove.
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Disinfect your pruners or scissors in the bleach solution to prevent disease spread.
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Hold spent blooms at the base and pinch or snip off just below the flower and above the first set of healthy leaves.
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Drop deadheaded blooms into your container for disposal.
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Sterilize pruners in the bleach solution again before moving to the next bloom.
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Remove any dead or damaged leaves as well to improve appearance.
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Continue inspecting the entire plant and deadhead all spent flowers.
That’s all there is to it! Just follow this simple routine every 7-10 days during peak blooming season. The more frequently plants are deadheaded, the more flowers they’ll produce.
Tips for Deadheading Snapdragons
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Deadhead in early morning or evening to avoid pollen and seed dispersal.
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Use sharp, clean pruners to avoid ripping or crushing delicate stems.
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Cut back to just above a leaf node so new buds can emerge.
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Remove damaged or diseased foliage as well when deadheading.
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After deadheading, fertilize plants to fuel new growth. Use a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
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During hot weather, deadhead more frequently as blooms fade faster.
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To encourage bushy regrowth, cut whole plants back halfway midsummer.
When to Deadhead Snapdragons
Timing is important when deadheading snapdragons. Here’s when you should tackle this task:
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Spring – Deadhead as soon as blooms begin to fade once plants are actively growing. Deadhead every 7-10 days.
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Summer – Deadhead at least weekly and up to twice weekly in peak heat as flowers fade faster. This encourages reblooming.
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Fall – Deadhead old blooms regularly as plants rebloom into fall. Discontinue when bloom naturally slows from frost.
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Winter – No deadheading needed as plants go dormant. Cut back any dead growth at end of season if necessary.
The key is to deadhead frequently enough to prevent seed pods but not so often that you are removing too many buds. Pay attention to each plant’s flowering habits and adjust your deadheading accordingly.
Caring for Snapdragons
Aside from deadheading, snapdragons thrive with proper care and growing conditions:
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Sun – Snapdragons need full sun exposure. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Soil – Grow in well-draining soil enriched with compost. Neutral pH around 6.5-7.0 is ideal.
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Fertilizer – Use balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth and flowering. Avoid high nitrogen formulas.
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Water – Keep soil consistently moist but not soaked. Allow the top few inches to dry between waterings.
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Pruning – Prune leggy plants halfway midsummer to encourage bushy, compact regrowth.
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Overwintering – In frost-free zones, mulch plants to overwinter. Elsewhere, grow as annuals.
With attentive care and regular deadheading, your snapdragons will thrive and flower prolifically all season long! Just be diligent about removing spent blooms as they appear, and enjoy the ongoing colorful display.
Common Questions about Deadheading Snapdragons
If you’re new to growing snapdragons, you may still have some questions about properly caring for these charming flowers:
How short should I cut the stem when deadheading?
Always cut the stem just above the first set of healthy leaves below the spent flower. This leaf node is where new flower buds will emerge from.
Can I just pull off the dead bloom instead of cutting?
It’s best to use pruners or scissors to snip blooms off rather than pulling them. This prevents damage to the rest of the plant.
Do I need to deadhead snapdragons growing in containers?
Container-grown snapdragons benefit just as much from deadheading as in-ground plants. They’ll bloom longer with regular deadheading.
Should I deadhead all snapdragons or just certain colors?
Deadhead all spent blooms regardless of color to maximize flowering on the entire plant. Don’t selectively deadhead.
Is it better to deadhead in the morning or evening?
Deadhead later in the day to avoid spreading pollen and seeds. However, the timing is not crucial, so just fit it in when convenient.
Can I cut snapdragons to use in flower arrangements?
Absolutely! Cutting snapdragon stems to enjoy indoors doubles as deadheading. Just be sure to leave enough foliage on plants.
Enjoy Continuous Color with Deadheaded Snapdragons
With their trumpet-shaped blooms in a rainbow of colors, snapdragons bring charm and beauty to any garden they inhabit. But without diligent deadheading, their flowering potential isn’t fully reached. Removing spent blooms by pinching or cutting keeps plants looking their best and blooming abundantly all season long.
How to Keep Snapdragons Blooming: Deadheading
Deadheading snapdragons is a simple process that can be done throughout the growing season.
Here are the steps to follow:
Look for snapdragon flowers that are starting to fade or wilt.
These are the flowers that you want to remove.
Tips for Deadheading Snapdragons:
Deadhead snapdragons right after the flowers start to fade or wilt.