How to Prune & Deadhead Common Perennial Flowers

Many perennial flowers benefit from occasional pruning and deadheading throughout the growing season. Not only does this keep plants looking tidy, but it can also encourage additional blooms and healthier growth.

In this week's How-To Friday, Katie shares a few simple pruning techniques for some of the most common perennial flowers found in Missouri landscapes.

Understanding Plant Families

Different perennials respond differently to pruning.

Plants in the mint family, including Salvia, Bee Balm, and Catmint, are often pruned more heavily during the summer. As flowers fade, spent blooms can be removed by cutting just above a new growth point or developing flower spike.

Later in the season, these plants often begin producing fresh growth from the base. When that happens, older stems can be cut back to allow the plant to focus its energy on new growth and future blooms.

Deadheading for More Flowers

Deadheading is simply the removal of spent flowers.

When old blooms remain on a plant, energy is often directed toward seed production instead of producing new flowers. Removing faded blooms encourages many perennials to continue blooming throughout the season.

Coreopsis is one of the best examples. Regular deadheading can help keep plants producing fresh flowers and looking their best.

Pruning Leggy Growth

Some plants can become leggy or uneven as the season progresses.

By selectively removing older stems and encouraging fresh growth from the base, plants often develop a fuller appearance and maintain a cleaner look in the landscape.

Katie demonstrates this technique on Plumbago and Columbine, showing how removing older stems can redirect energy to healthy new growth.

A Note About Gaillardia

Gaillardia, also known as Blanket Flower, behaves a little differently than many other perennials.

Instead of removing entire stems, it's often best to remove only the spent flower itself. New flowers frequently develop on the same stem, allowing the plant to continue blooming without extensive pruning.

Fertilizing After Pruning

After completing a major prune back, consider applying a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.

This provides nutrients that support healthy new growth without overfeeding the plant.

Need Help?

If you're unsure how to prune a particular perennial, stop by Carson's Nurseries. Our team is always happy to help identify plants and recommend the best care practices for your landscape. Let us know what How-To Friday's you want to see next! We are here for the health of YOUR plants!