Did you plant a Hollyhock garden last year that is currently in bloom? Do you know how to preserve the plant and help it bloom a little bit longer this year? Hollyhocks are beautiful when they bloom, so it’s important to keep the blooms alive for as long as possible. Deadheading is a method of pruning Hollyhocks that coaxes the flower into blooming until the first frost of the fall. I like to do this with all of my plants because not only does it extend the bloom, it makes the entire plant look healthier. You may be asking: “How do you deadhead hollyhocks?” Let’s take a look.
How to Deadhead Hollyhocks
The process is rather simple; in fact, if you care for plants a lot, you may already do this process. When you see a dead bloom on the plant, you simply grab the stem of the flower below the dead flower and pinch it off of the plant. You can also use gardening sheers if you prefer, but pinching it off works well. Always cut the stem above where new blooms are forming to ensure that the plant continues to flower. I have found that if you do this process a few times a week during the summer months that the Hollyhock will be much easier to tend to near the end of its blooming season.
Why is it Important to Deadhead Hollyhock?
When you deadlock Hollyhock, there are several benefits to the plant. Firstly, clipping away the old flower enables the plant to bloom more. As a plant that attracts pollinators, you are effectively removing its ability to spread its seed, so it will create more blooms to attract bees and other pollinators so that the Hollyhock can produce more and ensure that new plants grow next year. Dead leaves and dried blooms look unpleasant on a living flower, so clearing them away from the plant will make it look better overall. To give the Hollyhock the best-pruned look, you should cut some of the stems off the plant as well. Doing this will not only remove the flowers that are losing their light, but it will also remove the seeds from the plant as well. This removal is imperative, especially if you want to hold the seeds to plant them in a new place to grow.
Tools to Make the Process Simple
If you are looking to deadhead some Hollyhocks, then you will most likely be using your thumb and forefinger to do so, but you can use a pair of pruning shears if you desire. Pinching the dead and dying blooms from the plant can be tiring after a while, so if you need another option to give your hands a rest, the Ultra Snip Pruning Shears are a great option, especially if you have a lot of Hollyhocks that you need to prune. These shears are specifically designed for deadheading and pruning small plants. The blades are comprised of a stainless steel material that is 6.7 inches in length. The shears feature a spring-loaded design that is designed to reduce hand strain and give you a more comfortable grip while you are working with your Hollyhocks. I have found that they allow me to prune my plants even after my hands are tired from pinching the Hollyhocks. You can buy these on Amazon.com
Deadheading is great for Hollyhocks, but it is also a technique that is often used on other perennial flowers as well. The process is the same, but the location where you clip may be different. The next time you notice that the Hollyhocks in your garden look a bit under the weather, give deadheading a try; your Hollyhocks will produce beautiful, new blooms that you can enjoy for another few weeks at least.
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