Plants to Deadhead in July - A Mid Summer Refresh
By the time July rolls around, your garden has likely put on its biggest show of the season. Hydrangeas are bursting with color, roses have been blooming for weeks, and pollinators are busy visiting every flower they can find.
But if your landscape is starting to look a little tired, don't worry—it's completely normal. One of the easiest ways to keep your garden looking fresh through the rest of summer is a simple task called deadheading.
What Is Deadheading?
Deadheading is the process of removing spent or fading flowers before they begin producing seeds.
Instead of directing energy toward seed production, many flowering plants will redirect that energy into producing new buds, healthier foliage, and—in many cases—a second flush of blooms later in the season.
It's a quick gardening task that can make a noticeable difference in both the appearance and performance of your landscape.
Why Deadhead in July?
July is the perfect time for a mid-season refresh.
Many spring and early summer bloomers are beginning to fade, but there's still plenty of growing season left. By removing old flowers now, you're encouraging plants to continue blooming well into late summer and even early fall.
Deadheading also helps:
Keep garden beds looking neat and well-maintained
Encourage repeat blooming on many varieties
Reduce unwanted self-seeding in certain plants
Improve airflow through dense plants
Allow you to enjoy fresh flowers for cutting arrangements
Roses
Many modern roses will continue blooming throughout the season with regular deadheading.
Remove faded blooms by cutting just above the first healthy set of five leaflets. This encourages the plant to produce new flowering stems while keeping your rose bushes looking tidy.
Some newer rose varieties are "self-cleaning" and naturally drop spent blooms, but many traditional garden roses still benefit from regular pruning.
Salvia
Salvia is one of the hardest-working perennials in the summer garden, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the season
Once the flower spikes begin to fade, trim them back to just above a healthy set of leaves. Within a few weeks, you'll often be rewarded with fresh blooms and a fuller, bushier plant.
Hydrangeas
If you grow reblooming hydrangeas, deadheading can encourage another round of flowers later in the season.
Using clean pruners, remove faded flower heads just above the first healthy pair of leaves beneath the bloom. Be careful not to remove developing buds, especially on varieties that bloom on old wood.
Not sure which type of hydrangea you have? The team at Mayfield Gardens is always happy to help identify your variety and recommend the best pruning approach.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are known for their long-lasting blooms and their ability to attract pollinators throughout the summer.
If you'd like to encourage a tidier appearance and reduce self-seeding, remove fading flowers throughout July by cutting the stem back to the nearest set of leaves.
If you enjoy watching birds in your garden, consider leaving a few seed heads in place later in the season. Goldfinches are especially fond of them.
Dahlias
Few flowers reward regular deadheading like dahlias.
Every spent bloom you remove encourages the plant to produce another. Throughout summer, don't hesitate to cut flowers for bouquets—harvesting blooms has the same effect as deadheading and helps keep your dahlias producing until the first frost.
Keep Your Garden Blooming All Season
A few minutes spent deadheading each week can make a remarkable difference in the health, beauty, and longevity of your summer garden. If you're unsure which plants should be deadheaded—or how much to remove—stop by Mayfield Gardens. Our team is always happy to answer questions, identify your plants, and help you keep your landscape thriving through the rest of the season.