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Deadheading guide

How to deadhead dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'

Worth doing?
Yes — more blooms
When
Every few days to weekly through the flowering season — the more regularly, the better the repeat.
Cut
Follow the spent bloom down to the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud, and cut just above it. Cutting only the petals off leaves the developing seedpod behind, which defeats the point.

How to deadhead dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'

Follow the spent bloom down to the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud, and cut just above it. Cutting only the petals off leaves the developing seedpod behind, which defeats the point.

The mistake to avoid

Snipping just the faded petals and leaving the swollen green seedpod below. The plant still thinks it has set seed, so dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla' slows down anyway.

More dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla' care

Deadheading dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla' — FAQ

Should I deadhead dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'?

Deadheading dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla' genuinely pays off. Once a flower fades the plant starts pouring energy into setting seed, and removing it redirects that energy straight back into producing more buds. Keep on top of it through the season and you get a noticeably longer, heavier display; stop, and flowering tails off as the plant decides its job is done.

How do you deadhead dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'?

Follow the spent bloom down to the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud, and cut just above it. Cutting only the petals off leaves the developing seedpod behind, which defeats the point.

How often should I deadhead dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'?

Every few days to weekly through the flowering season — the more regularly, the better the repeat.

What is the most common deadheading mistake with dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla'?

Snipping just the faded petals and leaving the swollen green seedpod below. The plant still thinks it has set seed, so dryopteris filix-mas 'linearis polydactyla' slows down anyway.