With summer temperatures peaking, gardeners may be tempted to kick back but the hotter months can present additional challenges.
To prolong a garden display into the early months of autumn, gardeners should deadhead two varieties of blooms in the next week.
“Deadhead summer flowers and repeat flowering perennials to encourage continual flowering,” according to Garden World.
“Remove wilted blooms from roses and feed with Organic Liquid Rose Food to encourage further, healthy growth.”
Roses need pruning to enhance flowering
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Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from plants to encourage more blooms and prevent seed production.
The Royal Horticultural Society states that some plants don’t need deadheading because they can do it themselves.
“Those like fuchsias, bedding lobelias and salvias, either don’t set much seed or neatly," note the gardening experts.
“This helps to redirect the plant’s energy into producing more flowers rather than producing seeds.”
It’s worth noting that leaving spent flowers untouched will not do any harm to the plant, but will simply shorten the flowering season.
For additional crops, ensure crops and plants are watered and fed on a daily basis.
"July will see all the hard work put in during previous months start to bear fruit," noted Garden World.
“Fruits and vegetables are ripe for picking and the garden will be full of the scent of peas, lavender and roses.”
Should I deadhead indoor plants?
Most indoor plants follow the same rules as outdoor plants. Those with smaller and softer flowers can just be pinched off.
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Roses need pruning to enhance flowering
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For plants with stiffer stems, however, owners are advised to cut the dead flowers back to the base of the plant.
These types of varieties include the peace lily and the anthurium which are showing early signs of wilting.
Pruning can be done with scissors or secateurs that have been dipped in rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.
According to Monty Don, Wisteria which wasn't cut back in June will also benefit from pruning to help maintain vigorous growth.
