How to Deadhead the Blanket Flower
Deadheading involves removing old or faded blossoms from a plant. As far as a plant is concerned, its only purpose is to produce blooms, that in turn produce seeds to insure the survival of the species. Deadheading blooms before seeds form, tricks the plant into thinking it has not accomplished its goal of reproducing. The blanket flower is no exception. Deadheading blanket flower blossoms sends a flush of new blooms and may extend the blooming period for weeks.
Examine your blanket flower blooms daily. While some blooms are just opening, others begin to fade. If left on the plant, petals shrivel, or dry, and seeds from in the center of the flower. Once seeds form, a message is sent to the plant that its goal is accomplished and blooming ceases.
- Deadheading involves removing old or faded blossoms from a plant.
- Once seeds form, a message is sent to the plant that its goal is accomplished and blooming ceases.
Locate faded or shriveled flowers. Grasp the stem in one hand. Follow the stem back to the base of the plant.
Clip the stem near the base of the plant with a pair of garden clippers. Although some plants benefit from simply snipping off the bloom, flowers that grow in clusters--like the blanket flower—benefit from removing the entire stem, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. This improves the appearance of the plant and encourages it to produce new blooms.
Check your blanket flowers regularly for faded blooms and deadhead as necessary.
- Locate faded or shriveled flowers.
- Follow the stem back to the base of the plant.
Harvest A Blanket Flower Seed
Cut off the flower stalk once the petals drop off and the seed head begins to look brown and dry. Leave the bag open to provide air circulation to the drying seeds. Hold a seed head above a bowl. Gently rub the seed head to dislodge the seeds so they fall into the bowl. Store the seeds in a sealed jar or bag.
Tip
Allow blanket flowers to go to seed at the end of the season to attract birds to your yard.
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Tips
- Allow blanket flowers to go to seed at the end of the season to attract birds to your yard.
Writer Bio
Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with more than four years' experience in online writing. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in teaching 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5.
