Do all flowering plants need deadheading?

Deadheading flowers do not apply to every type of plant. Some plants, like petunias and roses, require consistent deadheading but self-cleaning types, such as Supertunias, will drop their dead blooms on their own. The begonias in my neighbor's yard bloomed all summer without any pruning, evidence that some flowers can be left alone to grow productively.

Certain plants are worthy of discipline. For example, cone flowers, which, un-deadheaded, feed the birds, and ornamental grasses, which add winter texture. In my garden, I appreciate the untouched heads of sedum that turned into ice sculptures during winter. Tidiness and ecological value often have a trade-off, but the seasonal drama made it worthwhile.

Research is superior to assumptions. Before deadheading lavender, I had learned that the woody stems cannot regenerate after being cut. Thus, I only trim the spent tips of the flowers and leave the stems and height. Instead of making assumptions about the growth of your plants, I would recommend observing the changes that occur in each plant. You may be surprised to find that while some may grow better unattended, others depend on your scissors.

Read the full article: How to Deadhead Flowers for Continuous Blooms