Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/1/2006

Question
the annuals I'm growing are dianthus, gallardia, zinna's, batchelor buttons, carnations, nicotiana, phlox, gazania, and of course geraniums. The dianthus are the ones I'm really not sure about though, those and the Gallairdia.  
 Also I planted a hummingbird garden beside my back porch for we have a slew of hummingbirds out back. I have a flower growing that I'm not sure what they are, they have a sort of maple leaf shape looking leaf on them, there is 5 to 6 flowers on each stem and the flowers themselves sort-of look like a hibiscus (only a small version), so far the only colors I have are pink and white, but they are georgus!!  

You have been a great help so far!! Thanks, LIZ
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Followup To

Question -
I live in Pennsylvania (USA), and have been told that you should deadhead every flower that you have to promote longer blooming time. Is this true? Also if true then will what I deadhead still produce me seeds, or not since it will no longer be attached to the plant? Also I'm trying to grow Narastrium (sp?). The flowers have all died and there are no more comming out and it doesn't look to be growing anymore, where the flowers were are now big "pods" so to speak, how do I get this flower to  continue to produce flowers?  Thank you

Answer -
Elizabeth,
Some annuals need deadheading in order to produce more flowers, and some don't - Impatiens, for example, don't need to be deadheaded, but petunias and zinnias do.  Let me know what annuals you are growing and I'll tell you if you have to deadhead or not.  

The whole point of deadheading is to remove the developing seed pod that is just below where the petals of the flowers come out.  Once an annual has developed seeds, it considers its job is done and it can stop flowering, so you want to prevent the seeds from forming.

Nasturshims bloom best when growing in full sun and fairly infertile soil - if they are fertilized much they just grow a bunch of leaves and stop blooming.  Cut off the pods - they are the developing seed pods.  Keep the plant a bit on the dry side to stress it a bit, and no fertilizer.

I hope this helps!
C.L.

Answer
Elizabeth,
Deadhead the gallardia, and the dianthus just to neaten the plant - sometimes the dianthus stops flowering but the deadheading keeps things looking tidy, and the plants may come back next year as well.

The Flowering Maple (Abuliton) is a great annual that you don't have to deadhead.
Enjoy!
C.L.