shearing back flowers

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caligrl1958 Champaign, IL Jun 04, 2007

Okay, so for most of you perhaps this is a really stupid question. It took me awhile to find out "how" to do deadheading of my flowers, since everyone talks about it but few people explain HOW exactly. Finally my local gardening show answered my question. But they failed to tell me how you shear back plants. So, that's my question. I'm particularly talking about my coreopsis because there's so many blooms, that's what is suggested. So, do I just take my big gardening shears and lop all the blooms off? So, just the top couple of inches? More than that? They're about 2 feet tall at this point. Thanks!

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81302 Central, WI(Zone 4b) Jun 04, 2007

When I shear my coreopsis I just use pruners and cut below lowest spent blossom at point just above where next set of leaves are and then shape it using the same method but I only have a couple of those and am probably being more exactly with doing mine than necessary. Also there are a number of cultivars out there so may be different methods that work best according to which you have. Probably would work to just shape it with a shears just so that have taken off most of the spent blooms keeping in mind that lower you cut the longer it will take for another flush. That is definitely fastest and that way have more time to do things with your other blooms.
Most likely someone with more expertise specifically with coeropsis will post. The main reasons for deadheading in general are to promote further bloom and/or prevent lots of unwanted seedlings. With the coreopsis are usually wanting another flush of blooms. The rest of deadheading is more just about aesthetics and it isn't all that exacting. I know people that rarely deadhead anything.

By the way my attitude is that there are no stupid questions. It's smart to ask because otherwise still don't know!!!
When I started gardening I had the same questions about deadheading and you are right on that was difficult to find out EXACTLY what was meant. On top of that the method of deadheading to remove seed or pod is bit different on different things for example on some are taking some stem as well while others are just snapping off the seedpod.
This site is wonderful for asking questions and people are great about sharing all sorts of helpful information.
Gardening isn't all that exacting. Gardeners have all sorts of opinions on what works well for them and what they want to achieve. Whatever works for you and you are happy is great.
Keep asking questions and apply what is helpful to you and fits in your time schedule.

Happy Gardening!

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