The bright golden flowers of black eyed susans (Rudbeckia) are a staple in many summer gardens. However to keep them looking their best and encourage a longer bloom time it’s important to deadhead spent flowers as they fade. This simple maintenance task redirects the plant’s energy into producing more blossoms rather than forming seeds. Here is a complete guide on how and when to effectively deadhead black eyed susans.
What is Deadheading?
Deadheading refers to the practice of removing faded, dried out flowers from a plant. Gardeners do this for both aesthetic reasons, as dead flowers are unsightly, and practical reasons.
Removing spent blooms triggers the plant to focus energy on producing new buds rather than diverting energy into forming seeds in the dead flowers. This extends the flowering period significantly.
Deadheading also prevents self-seeding, where faded flowers drop seeds that sprout new unwanted plants nearby. Keeping black eyed susans tidy by deadheading helps control their spread.
When to Deadhead Black Eyed Susans
The key to successful deadheading is timing. It’s important to remove spent flowers at the right stage
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Wait for flowers to fully open and bloom Don’t deadhead buds that haven’t opened,
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Start deadheading flowers when petals begin fading in color, wilting, or drying out.
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Deadhead throughout the blooming season continuously as flowers decline.
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Cut back whole flower stalks in fall after final blooms fade. Leave some for seeds if desired.
Deadheading too early can sacrifice flowers, while deadheading too late allows seed heads to form. Frequent deadheading provides the maximum blooming period.
How to Deadhead Black Eyed Susans
Deadheading black eyed susans is quick and easy. Follow these steps:
Gather Supplies
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Garden scissors or pruning shears
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Gardening gloves (optional)
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A container or bag for discarded flower heads
Identify Spent Flowers
- Inspect plants and locate flowers with faded, wilted, or dried petals. Mark flowers to be removed.
Cut Back Flower Stalks
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Use scissors or shears to snip off each spent bloom where it meets the main stalk.
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For multi-flowered stalks, just remove the dead bloom and leave the stalk intact.
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For single-flower stalks, cut back the entire stalk to its base.
Discard Old Flowers
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Collect dead blooms and place them in a bag or container. Properly discard them with other yard waste.
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Removing spent flowers helps minimize pests and diseases.
Continue Deadheading
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Repeat the deadheading process every few days as new flowers decline. Frequent deadheading provides the best results.
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Visually inspect plants and prune back new dead growth before it sets seed.
Cut Back Foliage After Bloom Season
- In fall when blooming slows, cut back foliage and remaining flower stalks to around 4-6 inches above the ground.
Deadheading Tips
Follow these handy tips to get the most out of deadheading your black eyed susans:
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Always use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to avoid damaging stems.
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Cut back each spent bloom to just above a healthy leaf node or lateral bud.
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Try to deadhead in the morning before heat builds to minimize stress.
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Avoid leaving bare stubs – deadhead back to a healthy leaf or main stem.
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Water plants after deadheading to prevent stress if weather is hot and dry.
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Fertilize plants occasionally to encourage new growth after deadheading.
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Monitor for pests/diseases and treat any found issues promptly.
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Divide large clumps every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate.
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Propagate new plants from cuttings or division for future gardens.
Benefits of Deadheading Black Eyed Susans
Dedheading black eyed susans provides multiple benefits:
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Promotes more new flowers and extends blooming period
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Redirects energy from seed production into new buds
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Prevents unwanted self-seeding around the garden
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Maintains a clean, tidy appearance
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Removes pests and disease entry points
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Reduces need for major fall pruning
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Rejuvenates plants by forcing new growth
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Improves overall plant health and vigor
Deadheading is a simple but highly effective way to get the most out of gorgeous black eyed susan flowers. By snipping off spent blooms before they form seeds, you can enjoy an extended bloom season.
Just be sure to deadhead at the right time, removing faded flowers as soon as they decline. With proper deadheading technique, your black eyed susans will continue blooming vigorously all season long, lighting up the garden with their bright golden blossoms.
Wilson’s Garden Center: Deadheading Rudbeckia
FAQ
Are you supposed to dead head black-eyed Susans?
Do black-eyed Susans come back every year?
How to make black-eyed Susan more bushy?
Should you Deadhead Black-Eyed Susans?
By deadheading black-eyed susans at the appropriate time, you can help maintain a neat and tidy appearance, promote continuous blooming, and ensure the health and vitality of the plant. Deadheading black-eyed susans is an essential task to keep these beautiful flowers looking their best and to encourage more blooms.
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How do you Deadhead a Black Eyed Susan?
Cut off faded and wilted Black-Eyed Susan blooms throughout the growing season to keep the plant tidy and in control. Rudbeckia deadheading is easy: On Rudbeckia, which grows a single flower on each stem, cut the stem back to the base of the plant. For Rudbeckias with multiple flowers on a stem, just snip off the spent blooms.
How do I get rid of dead Black Eyed Susans?
To get rid of dead black-eyed Susans, it is important to maintain regular pruning throughout the summer. Removing spent flower spikes not only keeps the plant looking tidy but also encourages continuous blooming and vibrant colors throughout the fall.
Why does a Black Eyed Susan Plant Deadhead?
Deadheading prevents the formation of seed heads, reducing the chances of self-seeding and helping to control the plant’s spread. Redirecting energy: When a black-eyed susan plant produces seeds, it directs its energy towards seed development rather than producing new flowers.
What happens if you Deadhead a Black Eyed Susan?
Plants must use a lot of energy and nutrients to develop seeds, so they stop growing and flowering to conserve resources during this time. When you deadhead black-eyed Susans, you interrupt the plant’s life cycle, causing it to send out more shoots and buds to try to create and spread more seeds.