Keep the Color Coming: July Deadheading & Pruning Tips

By mid-July, many gardens are in full bloom—but if your annuals and perennials are starting to look a little tired, it might be time to give them a gentle summer refresh. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages your plants to keep producing blooms instead of going to seed. Regularly snipping off faded blossoms from zinnias, cosmos, petunias, and marigolds can keep those colorful displays going strong well into late summer.

Perennials like coreopsis, salvia, and echinacea also benefit from a midseason trim. Light pruning or cutting back leggy growth can stimulate new foliage and reblooming. Don’t be afraid to give them a little haircut—just be sure to water well afterward and avoid pruning in the heat of the day. With just a few well-placed snips, your perennials can look refreshed and energized, ready to show off again.

To keep your plants blooming their best, don’t forget the fertilizer! Osmocote is our go-to for a slow-release boost that feeds all month—ideal for containers and hanging baskets. For flower beds and those looking for a more natural approach, Espoma’s Plant Tone is an outstanding organic option that supports soil health while giving your plants the nutrition they need to thrive.

So grab your snips, shake up your fertilizer, and give your garden a little summer spa day. A few minutes of attention now will reward you with healthier, more vibrant blooms straight through August and beyond.

Fun Plant Geek Fact: Deadheading isn’t just about looks—it’s a trick to get plants to bloom more!

When you remove spent flowers, the plant thinks it hasn’t completed its mission to reproduce and will often respond by pushing out even more blooms in an effort to produce seeds. So yes—snipping off those faded flowers is basically tricking your plant into being extra showy. Garden magic!