For all you newbies reading this, yes, cutting certain plants and flowers can actually make them bloom again!
Though this might sound like a strange and counterproductive concept, it actually works and is used by many gardeners to refill their gardens with color a second time. Think of it as doing something seemingly counterproductive to achieve productive results. Quite cool, isn’t it?
In this article, we’ll go over a long list of spring perennials that you can cut back after their initial bloom to make them flower once again. Let’s jump straight into it!
Don’t Stop At The First Bloom – Encourage A Second Flush!
Many gardeners believe that spring bloomers are “done” after their first round. And, while that is true in the case of most spring flowers, there are some that can actually bloom a second time. Yes, you read that right. Reblooming is VERY real!
This guide will help gardeners time their cut perfectly to get more color for a longer time from the same plants. And if you’re wondering whether to cut or pinch, here’s a quick look at what each flower prefers to get the best results.
How & When To Cut Back For More Blooms…Let’s See!
Avoid cutting back until the first bloom finishes:
Generally speaking, you want to avoid cutting back until the first bloom finishes. Timing is key; don’t cut too early or you’ll lose the first flowers.
The same goes for cutting too late in the season, where recovery becomes an issue. Just wait until the petals begin to fade or seed formation begins.
Where to Cut Back Flowers:
For most flowers, you’ll want to cut back just above the foliage or a leaf node. You want to trim the plant down to healthy foliage and not bare stems, as that can sometimes be too much. But this doesn’t apply to all of them, as you’ll see later on.
Use clean pruners and aim to reduce the plant by about one-third to half at a time.
watering and fertilization:
Light watering and fertilization is necessary after cutting. A light compost or all-purpose flower feed can aid with recovery and encourage the formation of new buds.
Just make sure not to apply rich, heavy fertilizers that can weigh down the perennials instead of encouraging them to bloom again. Balanced and specialized flowering blends work best for this.
Spring Perennials That Respond To A Post-Bloom Cut
1: Salvia (Perennial Types)
Cut back spent salvia spikes to encourage a second flush in late summer. However, ensure that you’re not cutting too much of the plant at a time and only go about halfway down into the foliage.
2: Catmint (Nepeta)
Trim your catmint plant by one-third after its initial blooming to refresh its shape and get another round of soft blue-lavender flowers.
3: Geranium (Cranesbill)
Cut the whole geranium plant back to a few inches above the crown. Don’t worry; it will regrow quickly and sometimes even bloom again.
4: Yarrow (Achillea)
Trim down all faded flower heads to the base foliage of your yarrow plant. You can expect a relatively smaller but still noticeable second bloom in late summer.
5: Coreopsis
Cut down your coreopsis plants by one-third after their initial flowering period comes to an end. This keeps them tidy and encourages more buds later on.
6: Lupines
Snip spent flower stalks near the base of your lupine plant as soon as the blooms fade. Lupines are likely to rebloom lightly in cooler climates.
7: Veronica (Speedwell)
Cut back tall flower spikes from your veronica plants after they brown to promote a second bloom. Trim them down to healthy lower foliage.
8: Dianthus (Pinks)
It’s generally a good idea to deadhead your dianthus plants regularly or prune lightly after blooming. These plants often rebloom through summer with light feeding.
I also wrote an article about deadheading, which I think you should take a look at, it covers the basics of deadheading and which flowers actually benefit from it.
9: Columbine (Aquilegia)
Cut back spent columbine flowers to prevent self-seeding and encourage additional blooming. However, for this to happen, cool weather is necessary, as warmth typically doesn’t promote reblooming the same way.
10: Penstemon
Ensure complete removal of spent penstemon stems down to single leaf nodes. In mild climates, you may often see them flower again into early fall.
11: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Deadhead or lightly cut back blanket flowers to keep the blooms coming. This is a long-blooming perennial that typically responds well to cleanups.
Let’s Conclude
As much as I enjoy pruning, whether it’s alone or with my nephews, the truth is that not all flowers need it, and some may even grow worse after it.
I’ve experienced this firsthand, where I pruned a few hydrangea plants (old-wood blooming varieties) in my mom’s backyard garden, and they never grew back properly after that.
Achieving a second flush of spring perennial blooms can be very challenging and complex, but it’s possible if you’re willing to be precise with timing your cut and following it up with proper plant care.
If you’re unsure where to start, this spring flower maintenance guide can help you avoid common mistakes and get more out of your blooms.
