I'm sure this is such an elementary gardening question that I must admit I am embarrassed to ask. But if you don't ask...you'll never know so...

I was just wondering whether it is okay to pluck fading and dying blooms from your flowers (i.e. just remove the petals and leave everything else) or "deadhead" the stalk and remove the whole head of the flower, part and parcel.

If neither is the solution, what is the solution?

Yes, you should deadhead the flowers. Remove the flower head or go all the way down the stem and remove it as well. Most flowering plants will benefit from this and will encourage new flowering!

Oh - and NEVER be embarrassed to ask a question - if you don't ask, you won't know!!

~Lydia

Thank you very much for your helpful response. I definitely want to keep my flowers pretty and encourage new growth.

Thank you, again.

Rainmaker