Coreopsis, commonly known as Tickseed, is a popular garden plant cherished for its long-lasting, cheerful, daisy-like blooms that span from late spring through summer. Available in many varieties, Coreopsis acts as either a reliable perennial or a bright annual. Deadheading is the practice of removing flowers once they have faded or wilted. This technique is routine for maintaining a continuous display of color throughout the growing season.
Why Deadheading Is Essential for Coreopsis
The primary purpose of a plant is to reproduce. Once a flower fades, the plant redirects energy to developing seeds within the spent bloom. Removing the flower head before mature seeds form interrupts this reproductive cycle. This intervention causes the Coreopsis to divert resources away from seed production and back into vegetative growth.
This redirected energy encourages the formation of new flower buds, extending the plant’s natural blooming period. If spent flowers remain, the plant may conclude flowering prematurely to focus on seeds. Regularly removing faded flowers also maintains a tidy appearance, preventing shriveled blooms from detracting from vibrant ones. Deadheading also helps prevent unwanted self-seeding, which can lead to a less controlled appearance in garden beds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deadheading
For Coreopsis, gardeners typically employ two methods: selective pinching and mass shearing, depending on the plant’s size and the number of spent blooms. These techniques allow for either targeted maintenance or large-scale rejuvenation.
Selective Pinching
For light maintenance or when only a few individual flowers have faded, simply pinch or snip off the spent bloom. Make the cut just above the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud on the stem below the flower head.
Mass Shearing
When a large flush of flowers has passed, or the plant looks leggy, a more aggressive shearing method is appropriate. Use sharp, clean shears to cut back the entire plant by about one-third to one-half of its height. This mass removal rejuvenates the plant and encourages a rapid, uniform flush of new growth and subsequent blooms. Ensure the cut is made above a dormant growth point to stimulate new branching.
End-of-Season Care and Alternatives
As summer ends and cool temperatures arrive, cease the regular deadheading routine. Allowing the final set of flowers to remain permits them to develop into seed heads. This shift allows the plant to naturally prepare for dormancy by focusing energy on its root system rather than producing more flowers.
These mature seed heads offer a food source for local birds, such as finches, providing winter sustenance. For perennial varieties, a final major cutback can occur after the first hard frost, trimming stems down to a few inches above the soil line. This seasonal pruning removes unsightly foliage and prepares the Coreopsis for its winter rest, readying it to return vigorously in the spring.