How to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers for Continuous Blooms

Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flowers, are easy-to-grow, typically short-lived perennial flowers in various hues. They are button-like in shape and have petals that flutter in the breeze. Under ideal growing conditions, blooms can last from spring to the first frost, although they might slow down in the high heat of summer.

Scabiosa grows best in moderate temperatures or some shade if you live in a hot climate with harsh afternoon sun. This flower is not necessarily fussy about the soil type, but it must be very well-draining for the plant to thrive. Pincushion flower is non-toxic to animals and humans, and historically, it has been used in traditional medicine.

Pincushion flowers, also known as scabiosa, are a beloved garden plant known for their pom pom-shaped blooms resembling colorful pincushions They come in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow and more. An easy-care perennial, pincushion flowers bloom throughout summer and into fall.

Deadheading is an important gardening task that keeps pincushion flowers looking their best By removing spent blooms, you encourage the plant to continuously produce new flowers rather than going to seed The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a complete guide to deadheading pincushion flowers.

When to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers

The ideal time to deadhead pincushion flowers is as soon as flowers begin to fade after blooming. This is generally summer through early fall during the main flowering period. Signs a flower has completed blooming include:

Wilting, dried out petals
Flower head beginning to turn brown
Petals falling off

Acting quickly when blooms start to decline encourages the most prolific reblooming. Deadhead flowers individually as they finish blooming rather than waiting for all blooms to fade.

How Often to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers

For continuous bloom, deadhead pincushion flowers 1-2 times per week throughout the season. Frequent deadheading prevents plants from diverting energy into forming seeds. The more often spent blooms are removed, the more new flowers will be produced.

Check plants at least twice a week and snap off any faded blooms. Some gardeners enjoy the meditative process of inspecting plants daily for deadheads. The key is not allowing plants to remain in seed production mode.

Deadheading Pincushion Flowers Step-by-Step

Deadheading pincushion flowers is an easy, fast process. Follow these simple steps:

Gather Tools

You’ll need a pair of hand pruners or garden snips. Look for a comfortable pair that allows you to snip with little hand fatigue.

Identify Spent Blooms

Examine plants and locate any flowers that are wilting, browning, or exhibiting signs of decline. Also watch for flower heads where the petals have dropped. These are blooms ready for deadheading.

Snip Off Old Flowers

Grasp faded bloom heads gently between your fingers. Use pruners to snip off the entire spent flower just below the bloom, above the first set of healthy leaves. Avoid leaving any stem remnants above the leaves.

Work Quickly

Move through plants methodically, removing spent blooms as you see them. Work at a steady pace without leaving behind any declining flowers.

Discard Deadheads

Collect all snipped off deadheads and discard them in the trash or compost pile. Some people leave them underneath plants as mulch. Just be sure to remove them from the garden.

Observe Results

Over the next several weeks, enjoy watching as plants respond with a flush of new, colorful blooms where old flowers were removed. The results of deadheading are beautiful!

Deadheading Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips for successfully deadheading pincushion flowers:

Work in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its hottest. Avoid the intense midday sun.
Inspect plants closely to detect spent blooms that may be hidden by foliage.
Always use clean, sharp pruners to avoid crushing stems.
Cut back each flower stem to just above a set of healthy leaves to encourage bushy, compact growth.
Remove damaged or diseased growth while deadheading.
Cut back any leggy flower stems to tidy up appearance.
Maintain diligence, checking plants every few days. It’s easy to miss wilted blooms.
Consider plant supports if heavy blooms cause flopping. This makes deadheading easier.
Water after deadheading to avoid stress if weather is hot and dry.
Apply bloom-boosting fertilizer monthly to nurture flowering.
Always deadhead before leaving town on vacation.

With a little practice, you’ll get deadheading done in no time!

When to Stop Deadheading Pincushion Flowers

Deadhead pincushion flowers until the first hard frost in fall. At that point, plants begin going dormant for winter. Allow remaining blooms to fade naturally and leave stalks stand over winter. The dried seed heads provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects.

Trim any deadgrowth in late fall or early spring. Resume deadheading when new growth emerges and blooming begins the following season.

Cutting Back Pincushion Flowers After Bloom Season

Once pincushion flowers have finished blooming for the season, cutting plants back tidies up the garden for winter. Here is how:

Wait Until Fall: Delay cutting back until after the first hard frost when plants enter dormancy. Allow time for insects to access the seed heads.
Assess Condition: If plants remain upright, wait until spring to trim. If stalks are floppy, proceed with cutting back.
Prune Flower Stalks: Use garden shears to prune all flower stalks back close to the ground, leaving just an inch or two of stem.
Prune Foliage: Cut back foliage by one-third to one-half, shaping the plant. Remove any damaged leaves.
Clear Debris: Take away all plant debris and throw it in the compost or trash. Consider leaving seed heads for birds.
Mulch Beds: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark, leaves, evergreen boughs or other organic mulch over beds. This protects plant roots.
Watch for New Growth: In spring, remove mulch and watch for fresh shoots and leaves. Begin deadheading again once blooming resumes.

Troubleshooting Problems

Follow these tips if pincushion flowers fail to rebloom well after deadheading:

Hot temperatures and drought can inhibit flowering. Ensure plants receive 1-2 inches of water per week.
Too much nitrogen fertilizer causes foliar growth at the expense of blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer.
Divide overcrowded plants in early spring to ease competition for nutrients.
Poor air circulation and too much shade lead to fungal issues. Improve growing conditions.
Older plants may need rejuvenation. Cut back by one-third after a few years.
Damaged roots from pests or diseases block water and nutrient uptake. Investigate and treat any problems.

Enjoying Pincushion Flowers

With proper deadheading, pincushion flowers will brighten your garden for months with continual floral displays. The colorful, unique blooms pair beautifully with other summer perennials and annuals. Pincushions work well in borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens and more. Show off gorgeous bouquets indoors. Attract pollinators by avoiding pesticides. Then sit back and reap the rewards of gardening success!

how to deadhead pincushion flowers

Types of Scabiosa

Several different varietals of scabiosa plants are available with different colors and appearances. Some of the most popular varieties include:

Black Knight: This type features burgundy flowers with prominent white stamens.
Butterfly Blue: A popular wedding varietal, the flowers of this type are more lavender than true blue.
Fama White: The varietal thrives in cooler weather and produces larger, white flowers.
Pink Mist: This graceful varietal has pink and near-translucent flowers.

how to deadhead pincushion flowers

How to Grow Scabiosa From Seed

Scabiosa is also easily grown from seeds indoors or outdoors. If direct sowing outdoors, sow seeds in autumn or spring after the threat of frost. Sow seeds indoors between four and six weeks before the last spring frost in your area. Heres how to sow seeds:

Sow evenly, spacing seeds 9 to 15 inches apart.
Cover with a thin 1/4 inch of potting soil.
Maintain a temperature of 65°F to 70°F during this period.
Seeds typically germinate within five to 15 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost or directly sow in the ground afterward.

How to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers ✂️ Video Tutorial • Growing Home Gardening

FAQ

Do pincushion flowers bloom all summer?

Yes, pincushion flowers (Scabiosa), particularly perennial varieties, are known for their long blooming season, often extending from late spring through summer and into early fall. Some varieties may even bloom year-round in milder climates.

Do pincushion flowers need to be deadheaded?

How do you care for a pincushion plant?

Once the pincushion flowers start to mature, mulch around the base of the plants to keep weeds and other invasive species from growing too close to them. Care needed for the pincushion flower is minimal, as very little attention from the gardener is needed to keep the pincushion plants thriving.

How often should you Deadhead pincushion flowers?

Deadhead flowers individually as they finish blooming rather than waiting for all blooms to fade. For continuous bloom, deadhead pincushion flowers 1-2 times per week throughout the season. Frequent deadheading prevents plants from diverting energy into forming seeds. The more often spent blooms are removed, the more new flowers will be produced.

How do you Deadhead pincushion flowers?

Deadheading pincushion flowers is an easy, fast process. Follow these simple steps: You’ll need a pair of hand pruners or garden snips. Look for a comfortable pair that allows you to snip with little hand fatigue. Examine plants and locate any flowers that are wilting, browning, or exhibiting signs of decline.

How do you rebloom pincushion flowers after deadheading?

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of shredded bark, leaves, evergreen boughs or other organic mulch over beds. This protects plant roots. In spring, remove mulch and watch for fresh shoots and leaves. Begin deadheading again once blooming resumes. Follow these tips if pincushion flowers fail to rebloom well after deadheading:

Can deadheading help a flowering plant?

Deadheading—the select removal of old flowers and their stems—can help. First, knowing the basic life cycle of a flowering plant will make deadheading easy to understand. Flowering plants have one goal: to survive long enough to produce seeds that in turn create new flowering plants. When flowers are pollinated, one cycle stops and another begins.

When to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers

How Often to Deadhead Pincushion Flowers