How to Deadhead Spirea Bushes
With approximately 80 species in the genus Spiraea, at least one spirea shrub is likely to grow well in your climate. Known for its dense clusters of white, pink, purple or yellow flowers, spirea blooms on old wood in spring or new wood in summer. Deadheading is a technique used by gardeners when growing spirea to remove dying or spent flowers before they produce seed. The energy saved is then used, depending on the species, either to produce a second round of blooms or to prolong the flowering season.
Examine the flowering branches frequently while they are in bloom. Soon after the flowers fade, it's time to deadhead.
Pinch off the flowers or use a pair of hand clippers to cut the stems, just under blooms. Unless you want to prune your spirea at this time, do not remove any foliage — just the flowers.
Prune spring-blooming spirea during or just after deadheading, if desired. Cut the branches back to a desired height and shape, removing no more than one-third of the branches. Prune just above a leaf or leaf node. Summer-blooming spireas are best pruned while they are dormant in late winter.
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.