Remember to Deadhead These Flowers in September to Get More Blooms

As the days begin to shorten and the cool breeze of autumn starts to set in, your garden may begin to show signs of slowing down.

But just because summer is drawing to a close doesn’t mean your flowers have to.

In fact, September is the perfect time to give your garden a boost by deadheading certain flowers.

Deadheading, or the process of removing spent blooms, encourages many plants to produce more flowers, extending the blooming season well into fall.

Over the years, I’ve found that a little extra attention in September can make a big difference in how vibrant and colorful your garden remains.

In this guide, I’ll share my personal experiences and tips on deadheading, along with a list of flowers that will reward your efforts with a fresh wave of blooms.

Let’s dive in and keep your garden blooming beautifully!

1. Roses

Roses are one of the most rewarding flowers to deadhead, especially in September.

By this time, many roses have completed their first or even second flush of blooms, and deadheading can encourage a third round of flowers before the cold sets in.

In my garden, I make it a habit to deadhead my roses regularly throughout the growing season, but September is particularly important.

I’ve found that removing spent blooms at this time not only encourages new flowers but also helps the plant conserve energy as it prepares for winter.

To deadhead roses, I typically cut the spent bloom back to the first set of five leaves.

This encourages the plant to produce a new flowering shoot rather than just more foliage.

I’ve noticed that by being diligent about deadheading in September, my roses continue to bloom well into October, providing late-season color and fragrance.

One tip I’ve learned is to always use clean, sharp pruning shears when deadheading roses.

This helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures a clean cut that heals quickly.

2. Geraniums

Geraniums are another flower that benefits greatly from deadheading in September.

These popular bedding plants are known for their bright, cheerful blooms, and with a little extra care, they can continue to flower until the first frost.

In my experience, deadheading geraniums is a simple task that pays big dividends.

I remove the spent flowers by cutting the stem just above the nearest set of healthy leaves.

This encourages the plant to focus its energy on producing new blooms rather than setting seed.

I’ve found that regular deadheading keeps my geraniums looking fresh and vibrant well into the fall.

If you’ve been neglecting your geraniums, it’s not too late to start deadheading in September.

With the right care, these hardy plants will reward you with a final burst of color before winter arrives.

One thing to watch out for is to avoid removing any buds that are just beginning to form.

These can sometimes be mistaken for spent flowers, so take a close look before making the cut.

3. Marigolds

Marigolds are a staple in many gardens, valued for their bright, long-lasting blooms and ability to deter pests.

However, to keep them flowering profusely in September, deadheading is essential.

In my garden, I deadhead marigolds by pinching off the spent flowers just below the bloom.

This encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than focusing on seed production.

I’ve noticed that without regular deadheading, marigolds can become leggy and stop blooming as vigorously.

One thing I love about marigolds is how quickly they respond to deadheading.

Within a week or two of removing the spent blooms, I usually see a fresh flush of flowers, which keeps my garden looking bright and cheerful well into the fall.

Deadheading marigolds is also a great way to keep the plants tidy and prevent them from becoming overgrown.

It’s a simple task that can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your garden.

4. Zinnias

Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow and maintain, and they reward you generously with continuous blooms if you take the time to deadhead them.

In September, deadheading zinnias can help extend their flowering season, keeping your garden colorful right up until the first frost.

In my garden, I deadhead zinnias by cutting the stem back to just above a set of leaves or a lateral bud.

This not only encourages more blooms but also helps keep the plants looking neat and tidy.

I’ve found that zinnias can become a bit unruly if not regularly deadheaded, so this task is essential for maintaining their shape.

One of the great things about zinnias is their rapid growth.

After deadheading, it doesn’t take long before new buds start to form, giving you a fresh burst of color in just a few weeks.

This makes zinnias a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to keep their beds vibrant well into the fall.

If you’re growing zinnias in a cutting garden, deadheading is even more important, as it encourages the production of long, strong stems that are perfect for flower arrangements.

5. Cosmos

Cosmos are another easy-to-grow annual that benefits from deadheading, particularly in September.

These delicate, airy flowers can bloom continuously if you take the time to remove the spent blossoms.

In my garden, I’ve found that deadheading cosmos is key to keeping them blooming from summer right through to the first frost.

I usually pinch off the spent flowers just above the nearest set of healthy leaves or buds.

This encourages the plant to produce new flowers rather than going to seed.

One of the things I love about cosmos is their resilience.

Even if you’ve neglected deadheading earlier in the season, it’s not too late to start in September.

With regular attention, your cosmos plants will reward you with a fresh flush of flowers that will keep your garden looking beautiful well into the fall.

Deadheading cosmos also helps to prevent them from becoming too tall and leggy, which can happen if they’re allowed to go to seed.

By keeping them trimmed back, you can maintain a more compact, bushy plant that’s full of flowers.

6. Petunias

Petunias are one of the most popular annuals for gardens and containers, thanks to their abundant blooms and wide range of colors.

However, they do require regular deadheading to keep them looking their best, especially in September.

In my garden, I deadhead petunias by pinching off the spent flowers along with a bit of the stem.

This not only encourages more blooms but also prevents the plant from becoming leggy.

I’ve noticed that without regular deadheading, petunias can start to look tired and straggly as the season progresses.

By deadheading in September, you can keep your petunias blooming profusely well into the fall.

This is particularly important if you’re growing petunias in hanging baskets or containers, where they can quickly become overgrown without regular maintenance.

One tip I’ve learned is to deadhead petunias in the morning when the flowers are dry and easy to remove.

This also gives the plant plenty of time to recover during the day, which helps promote new growth.

7. Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a hardy perennial that adds a splash of golden color to the garden in late summer and early fall.

Deadheading these cheerful flowers in September can encourage a second flush of blooms before the season ends.

In my garden, I’ve found that deadheading black-eyed Susans is straightforward.

I simply cut back the spent flower stems to the nearest set of healthy leaves.

This encourages the plant to produce new flowers and helps maintain its shape.

One of the great things about black-eyed Susans is their ability to bloom continuously with regular deadheading.

Even in September, with just a little attention, you can keep these flowers looking fresh and vibrant, adding a bright spot to your fall garden.

Deadheading also prevents black-eyed Susans from self-seeding too aggressively.

While some gardeners appreciate the natural spread of these plants, I prefer to keep them contained to specific areas of the garden.

8. Dahlias

Dahlias are a showstopper in any garden, with their large, colorful blooms that last well into the fall.

To keep them blooming as long as possible, regular deadheading in September is essential.

In my experience, deadheading dahlias is one of the most rewarding tasks in the garden.

I remove the spent flowers by cutting the stem back to the nearest set of leaves.

This not only encourages more blooms but also helps the plant conserve energy as it prepares for the colder months.

I’ve noticed that with regular deadheading, my dahlias continue to produce large, vibrant flowers right up until the first frost.

This makes them a fantastic choice for adding late-season color to the garden.

One tip I’ve found helpful is to use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears when deadheading dahlias.

This ensures a clean cut that heals quickly, reducing the risk of disease.

9. Coreopsis

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a hardy perennial that blooms profusely in late summer and early fall.

Deadheading coreopsis in September can help extend the blooming season and keep your garden looking bright and cheerful.

In my garden, I deadhead coreopsis by cutting back the spent flowers to the nearest set of leaves or buds.

This encourages the plant to produce new blooms rather than setting seed.

I’ve found that without regular deadheading, coreopsis can start to look a bit untidy as the season progresses.

By giving coreopsis a little extra attention in September, you can enjoy a fresh wave of flowers that will keep your garden looking vibrant well into the fall.

This is especially important if you’re trying to maintain a continuous display of color in your flower beds.

Deadheading also helps to prevent coreopsis from becoming too leggy, which can happen if the plants are allowed to go to seed.

By keeping them trimmed back, you can maintain a more compact, bushy plant that’s full of flowers.

10. Salvia

Salvia is a versatile perennial that produces spikes of colorful flowers from late spring through fall.

Deadheading salvia in September can help encourage a final flush of blooms before the season ends.

In my garden, I deadhead salvia by cutting back the spent flower spikes to just above a set of healthy leaves.

This encourages the plant to produce new flower spikes and helps maintain its shape.

I’ve found that with regular deadheading, salvia can continue to bloom well into October, adding a splash of color to the fall garden.

One of the things I love about salvia is how quickly it responds to deadheading.

Within a few weeks of removing the spent flowers, new buds start to form, ensuring a continuous display of blooms.

Deadheading salvia also helps to prevent the plant from becoming too woody and overgrown.

By keeping it trimmed back, you can maintain a more compact, bushy plant that’s full of flowers.

Final Thoughts

Deadheading is a simple yet powerful way to keep your garden looking vibrant and full of color as the seasons change.

By taking the time to remove spent blooms from these ten flowers in September, you can encourage a fresh wave of blossoms that will keep your garden bright and cheerful well into the fall.

From roses and geraniums to dahlias and salvia, the rewards of deadheading are well worth the effort.

I’ve found that this small investment of time and care can make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of your garden.

So, as the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to cool, don’t forget to grab your pruning shears and give your flowers the attention they deserve.

With the right care, your garden will continue to bloom beautifully, bringing joy and color to your outdoor space until the first frost.

Happy gardening!