Nine plants to deadhead

Camellia

For shrubs that bloom only once in a season, such as camellias and lilacs, removing the old flowers helps to conserve the plant’s resources so it can maintain healthy leaf and root growth. Just pinch off old blooms.

Choisya ternata

Deadhead Choisya ternata right after flowering is over – usually in June. Simply cut back spent flower clusters to a healthy bud.

Hebe

Hebes will need some deadheading to lengthen flowering time and improve their appearance. Cut back spent blooms to the base of the flower.

Lavatera

Lavateras can be encouraged to continue flowering if you deadhead the flowers before seed heads begin to form.

Peonies

Old peony blooms are easy to spot and they can spoil the appearance of the plant. Cut the spent flowers at the base, to prevent the production of seeds.

Removing old peony blooms with secateurs

Pieris

Remove the spent flower clusters on pieris shrubs by cutting back to a healthy bud. Don't deadhead too late, as you may cut into the new growth that will produce next year's blooms.

Tree peonies

Deadhead tree peonies, such as 'Duchess of Kent' (pictured) by picking or snipping off spent blooms where they meet the stem. This will stop them wasting energy producing unwanted seeds.

Buddleja

Buddleja flowers quickly turn brown once they've finished their display, giving the plant a tatty appearance. Prune old blooms at their base to improve their appearance and to encourage further blooms.