10 Flowers You Can’t Forget to Deadhead in August
Removing spent blooms now will reward you with more flowers later.
At the tail end of summer, many home gardeners are already thinking ahead to the cool-season crops and spring-flowering bulbs they’ll plant in fall. But don’t move on from your summer garden just yet! August is a good time to take stock of what’s still blooming—and give certain flowers a little attention before the seasons change.
That’s where deadheading comes in. The simple gardening task involves removing old or faded blooms, and for some plants, doing it in August can encourage another round of flowers. Once a bloom starts producing seeds, the plant directs more of its energy toward that process. Removing spent flowers can help redirect some of that energy toward new growth and blooms instead.
But before you grab the pruning shears, check what you’re growing. Not every flower benefits from an August trim, and cutting at the wrong time could remove developing buds or next year’s blooms. For a fuller late-summer garden that keeps going into fall, these are the flowers you can’t forget to deadhead in August.
Get ready for fall with these gardening ideas:
Zinnia
With layers of rounded petals in bright colors, zinnias are fast-growing, heat-loving annuals that can bloom all summer long. Deadheading them in August encourages the plants to keep producing colorful flowers until frost.
Coreopsis
Deadheading cheerful, daisy-like coreopsis in August can encourage another wave of late-summer and early fall blooms. If the plant has mostly faded, cut it back by about one-third; otherwise, simply snip off the spent flower heads.
Dahlia
Known for their geometric petals and striking colors, dahlias hit their stride in late summer and early fall. Pinch or snip off faded flowers in August to help keep the blooms coming throughout the rest of the growing season.
Salvia
Many varieties of salvia continue blooming into fall, and deadheading in August can encourage another flush of flowers. Use clean shears to cut spent flower stems just above a leaf node.
Petunia
By August, petunias can start looking a little leggy, with long stems, fewer leaves, and tired-looking flowers. Deadheading spent blooms—and trimming back overgrown stems when needed—can help encourage fresh growth for the final stretch of the season.
Shasta Daisies
With crisp white petals and sunny yellow centers, Shasta daisies bring classic charm to the summer garden. Cut spent flower stems back with pruning shears in August to encourage another round of blooms.
Snapdragon
These colorful flower spikes are favorites in cottage-style gardens and among pollinators. As the intense summer heat starts to ease, deadheading spent snapdragon flowers can help encourage a new flush of blooms.
Marigold
Colorful marigolds can benefit from a good cleanup in August. Removing spent flowers keeps the plants looking tidy and encourages them to continue blooming rather than putting their energy into seed production.
Coneflower
Deadheading coneflowers in August can encourage more blooms, but don’t cut off every faded flower. Their seed heads provide food for birds later in the season, so leave some in place while removing others to encourage continued flowering.
Rose
Repeat-blooming roses come in plenty of shapes, sizes, and colors, but they have one thing in common: Removing faded flowers can encourage another flush of blooms. Deadhead them in August to keep the display going as long as possible.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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