When anyone first heard the word “deadhead,” did they think of a much more dangerous gardening task? Despite being the scariest word in the garden language, “deadheading” is actually a pretty easy task. Its not hard to do (although sometimes can be tedious). In fact, Ive decided to award it the “dont-even-need-to-wait-until-naptime” seal of approval.
Pincushion flowers, also known as scabiosa, are a beloved garden plant known for their pom pom-shaped blooms resembling colorful pincushions. They come in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow and more. An easy-care perennial, pincushion flowers bloom throughout summer and into fall.
Deadheading is an important gardening task that keeps pincushion flowers looking their best By removing spent blooms, you encourage the plant to continuously produce new flowers rather than going to seed The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a complete guide to deadheading pincushion flowers.
When to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers
The ideal time to deadhead pincushion flowers is as soon as flowers begin to fade after blooming This is generally summer through early fall during the main flowering period Signs a flower has completed blooming include
- Wilting, dried out petals
- Flower head beginning to turn brown
- Petals falling off
Acting quickly when blooms start to decline encourages the most prolific reblooming. Deadhead flowers individually as they finish blooming rather than waiting for all blooms to fade.
How Often to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers
For continuous bloom, deadhead pincushion flowers 1-2 times per week throughout the season. Frequent deadheading prevents plants from diverting energy into forming seeds. The more often spent blooms are removed, the more new flowers will be produced.
Check plants at least twice a week and snap off any faded blooms Some gardeners enjoy the meditative process of inspecting plants daily for deadheads The key is not allowing plants to remain in seed production mode,
Deadheading Pincushion Flowers Step-by-Step
Deadheading pincushion flowers is an easy, fast process. Follow these simple steps:
Gather Tools
You’ll need a pair of hand pruners or garden snips. Look for a comfortable pair that allows you to snip with little hand fatigue.
Identify Spent Blooms
Examine plants and locate any flowers that are wilting, browning, or exhibiting signs of decline. Also watch for flower heads where the petals have dropped. These are blooms ready for deadheading.
Snip Off Old Flowers
Grasp faded bloom heads gently between your fingers. Use pruners to snip off the entire spent flower just below the bloom, above the first set of healthy leaves. Avoid leaving any stem remnants above the leaves.
Work Quickly
Move through plants methodically, removing spent blooms as you see them. Work at a steady pace without leaving behind any declining flowers.
Discard Deadheads
Collect all snipped off deadheads and discard them in the trash or compost pile. Some people leave them underneath plants as mulch. Just be sure to remove them from the garden.
Observe Results
Over the next several weeks, enjoy watching as plants respond with a flush of new, colorful blooms where old flowers were removed. The results of deadheading are beautiful!
Deadheading Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips for successfully deadheading pincushion flowers:
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Work in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its hottest. Avoid the intense midday sun.
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Inspect plants closely to detect spent blooms that may be hidden by foliage.
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Always use clean, sharp pruners to avoid crushing stems.
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Cut back each flower stem to just above a set of healthy leaves to encourage bushy, compact growth.
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Remove damaged or diseased growth while deadheading.
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Cut back any leggy flower stems to tidy up appearance.
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Maintain diligence, checking plants every few days. It’s easy to miss wilted blooms.
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Consider plant supports if heavy blooms cause flopping. This makes deadheading easier.
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Water after deadheading to avoid stress if weather is hot and dry.
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Apply bloom-boosting fertilizer monthly to nurture flowering.
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Always deadhead before leaving town on vacation.
With a little practice, you’ll get deadheading done in no time!
When to Stop Deadheading Pincushion Flowers
Deadhead pincushion flowers until the first hard frost in fall. At that point, plants begin going dormant for winter. Allow remaining blooms to fade naturally and leave stalks stand over winter. The dried seed heads provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects.
Trim any deadgrowth in late fall or early spring. Resume deadheading when new growth emerges and blooming begins the following season.
Cutting Back Pincushion Flowers After Bloom Season
Once pincushion flowers have finished blooming for the season, cutting plants back tidies up the garden for winter. Here is how:
Wait Until Fall
Delay cutting back until after the first hard frost when plants enter dormancy. Allow time for insects to access the seed heads.
Assess Condition
If plants remain upright, wait until spring to trim. If stalks are floppy, proceed with cutting back.
Prune Flower Stalks
Use garden shears to prune all flower stalks back close to the ground, leaving just an inch or two of stem.
Prune Foliage
Cut back foliage by one-third to one-half, shaping the plant. Remove any damaged leaves.
Clear Debris
Take away all plant debris and throw it in the compost or trash. Consider leaving seed heads for birds.
Mulch Beds
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark, leaves, evergreen boughs or other organic mulch over beds. This protects plant roots.
Watch for New Growth
In spring, remove mulch and watch for fresh shoots and leaves. Begin deadheading again once blooming resumes.
Troubleshooting Problems
Follow these tips if pincushion flowers fail to rebloom well after deadheading:
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Hot temperatures and drought can inhibit flowering. Ensure plants receive 1-2 inches of water per week.
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Too much nitrogen fertilizer causes foliar growth at the expense of blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer.
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Divide overcrowded plants in early spring to ease competition for nutrients.
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Poor air circulation and too much shade lead to fungal issues. Improve growing conditions.
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Older plants may need rejuvenation. Cut back by one-third after a few years.
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Damaged roots from pests or diseases block water and nutrient uptake. Investigate and treat any problems.
Enjoying Pincushion Flowers
With proper deadheading, pincushion flowers will brighten your garden for months with continual floral displays. The colorful, unique blooms pair beautifully with other summer perennials and annuals. Pincushions work well in borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens and more. Show off gorgeous bouquets indoors. Attract pollinators by avoiding pesticides. Then sit back and reap the rewards of gardening success!
Deadheading Drift® ground cover rose
Next up was my ground cover rose. I have all the heart eyes for this plant. You can see in the photo it has a lot of colors going on. These are the flowers that grow from the apricot buds: peachy pink with a yellow center. As they age, they turn into what you see here.
See where my glove is pointing in the photo? (Youll need garden gloves for this prickly task. ) That leaf has 5 small leaflets on it, unlike the leaf higher up which only has three. Another shoot full of blooms is likely to emerge by this leaf with the 5 leaflets. Cut the rose back to just above this leaf with your pruners.
What does it mean to deadhead your plants?
Some flowers bloom and fade nicely without you ever noticing that theyve vanished. But more often, flowers fade and the dried petals or seedheads stick around and are frankly just terrible to look at. Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers. Sometimes its as easy as pinching the stem off with your fingers. Other times you might need to get out the power tools. Mostly, though, you just need some sharp scissors, snips or pruners to get the job done.
How to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers ✂️ Video Tutorial • Growing Home Gardening
FAQ
Should Pincushion Flower be deadheaded?
Where do you cut deadheading flowers?
Are pincushion flowers cut and come again?
How do you care for pincushion flowers in pots?
Should you Deadhead a pincushion plant?
The process of deadheading, or removing spent pincushion flower blooms, not only tidies up the plant but also encourages the production of new flowers. In the early spring of the first year, prune back any wiry stems to promote an upright habit and bushier growth.
How do you care for a pincushion plant?
Pincushion thrives in chalky, loamy soils that have a neutral pH tending to alkaline. Soil must be well drained. Scabiosa like rich soils but cannot tolerate heavy soils or clay soils. Soil that retains dampness will cause the plant to start rotting. The pincushion needs moderate to regular water, though they can tolerate drought conditions.
Should you cut back a pincushion plant?
In cooler climates, where there is a threat of frost, it’s best to leave the faded flower heads on the plant to provide some protection to the foliage. Come the first frost, you can cut back the entire plant in preparation for the next growing season. The removed parts of the pincushion plant can be a good addition to a dried flower arrangement.
Do pincushion flowers need to be pruned?
Pruning is an essential aspect of maintaining the pincushion flower’s health and promoting its vibrant blooms. The process of deadheading, or removing spent pincushion flower blooms, not only tidies up the plant but also encourages the production of new flowers.
Should you deadhead flowers?
Keeping the flowers deadheaded will increase their likelihood of repeat blooming. Because plants with so many tiny flowers on individual stalks are tedious to deadhead, you can trim the plant in summer when the flower output is low to promote a fresh round of blooms in early fall.
Are pincushions perennial?
Scabiosa Caucasica —The Perennial Pincushion: Scabiosa caucasica is most often found in blue and white, but you can also find this breed of pincushion flower in a perennial pink. These plants have an extended blooming period that will make your beds explode with dashes of brilliant color that sticks around after other flowers would have faded.