Dead heading Patio Clematis and Azaleas

monicaj

I have a beautiful Patio Clematis which bears an abundnace of flowers, I understand (from the label) that I should dead head once flowering has finished and start feeding again for more flowers later in the summer - question is - sorry to sound daft, but do I just take off the spent blooms or do I need to cut further back?

Also I understand with Azaleas that they should be deadheaded carefully so not to break off any new buds for next year, I think I'm doing it correctly BUT I have some of those long things (part of the flowers) left, do I need to take those off too.

Sorry, I'm a complete numpty and would rather check than do some damage.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks
Monica

EmptyPockets

You're not a numpty at all: these questions are only simple for those who know the answer. Thanks for posting this thread, as we too have an Azalea, bought about a month ago. All the flowers have now finished, and it is in urgent need of deadheading, but, I've been unsure if I was doing it right.

Like you, I've been removing the brown, dry flowers, but didn't know if I should be pulling the long 'stringy' bits off too..? Will be interested to hear any replies you get

monicaj

Hi

Does anyone have any advice pleeeeeeeeeease, I can't find anything online ..........

angelavdavis

Hi Monica,

I generally cut off clematis flowers down to the next leaf axle.

I don't bother dead heading my azalea and it still flowers in abundance every year. I do however dead head my rhododendron which does suffer as it produces huge seed pods if I don't.

monicaj

Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated - I guess my azaleas will be fine and you've been a great help on the clematis. Need to make sure I dead head the Rhododendron in a few days time !!

Monica

ds1980

wouldnt bother with rhoda's either,the wild ones dont get dead headed every year?