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I was out in the garden today, deadheading our butterfly bushes and thought I’d post some pics of the correct way to deadhead the plant so that nourishment is not lost on the dead blooms.
These plants usually bloom in threes… there will generally be a bloom in the middle and one on each side. To take the dead bloom off: snip the whole stem — with the dead bloom — off (leaving about a half inch) at the point where the three stems (with blooms) come together. This will enable the plant to nourish the living blooms and encourage further growth.
Also, for future reference, when these are done for the season, you will want to cut them back almost to the ground. Just clip them about 2-3 inches above the ground!
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I wish I was working in your garden with you. Not much grows in the desert in the summer in AZ.
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Sheila
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August 12th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@Tess Bold Life,
Ahhhh I remember the beautiful desert scaped yards on our trip to Sedona a couple years back. Beautiful! But I know what you mean, I think it was mostly on the golf course where we found actual “green” colored plants. – i mean, other than cactus. Still beautiful!
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Well that’s cool! I want a butterfly bush.
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This is the first time I have heard the expression deadhead. The things I learn on your blog
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Thanks for the follow. Am returning the fav. I too live in AZ (the desert) so we dont get to see much beauty like that….
Looking forward to reading more…Judy
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Well, THANKS! I’ve never been good at that with any flowers.
I do like those shrubs. I had some that died.
xoxo
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Oh what a beautiful plants. You must be a great gardener. I love gardens but my husband is the one who looks after it. I grow up in the middle of the city and don’t know much about it.
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Sheila
Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 5:22 am
@marja,
Oh no, actually I’m a horrible gardener. lol. My husband tends all the needs of the plants. I forget to water them and weed them. But I do occassionally trim them up up and ALWAYS take photos of them, lol. He’s the only green thumb in the house for sure!
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