August plants to trim for a second autumn bloom: 7 options to pursue for early fall blossoms
August is a crucial month for gardeners, as it presents an opportunity to extend the summer blooming season and promote a more abundant display of flowers. According to gardening expert Michael Clarke, pruning certain plants in August can stimulate new growth and flowering.
Deadheading, the process of removing faded flowers, is a simple yet effective technique that can help extend the blooming period of many plants. For instance, deadheading shrubs like butterfly bush, roses, and caryopteris in August can provide a second flush of blooms. Similarly, deadheading lavender in August can reward you with a late summer, fragrant display that pollinators will thank you for.
Lantana, a tender perennial plant with clusters of multi-colored blooms, belonging to the verbena varieties family and popular with pollinators, can also benefit from regular deadheading. Doing so can promote a longer blooming period. Deadheading lantana should be done when flowers start to form seedpods and then snipped down to a leaf node.
Veronica, with its vibrant purple flower spikes, is another plant that can be deadheaded in August to promote new growth. Deadheading veronica can extend its blooming period into fall. Nepeta, or catmint, is another plant that can benefit from this technique, encouraging a second flush of flowers.
Annuals like zinnias can also be deadheaded in August to encourage a returning display. Coneflowers are another easy plant to deadhead in August. Deadheading coneflowers will extend the bloom period and encourage branching with more flowers. Some fading coneflowers can be left for a winter garden, as their seedheads make the list of the best architectural plants.
Pelargoniums, tender perennials that can bloom from spring through to fall, also respond well to deadheading. Removing faded blooms of pelargoniums encourages a more abundant display. Michael Clarke advises deadheading pelargoniums in August.
In addition to deadheading, pruning these plants can help maintain their shape and vitality going into the late summer and fall period. August pruning helps stimulate new growth and flowering since these plants bloom on current season's wood, and cutting them back encourages more abundant and prolonged blooms.
While deadheading and pruning can extend the blooming season, it's worth noting that seedheads of coneflowers can feed birds in winter and help other wildlife into fall. So, consider leaving some coneflowers for the winter garden.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy a vibrant and colourful garden well into the late summer and fall. Happy gardening!
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