Deadheading 'Cecile Brunner' Rose: The Easy Way

Joan asked if she must deadhead hundreds of spent blooms on her 'Cecile Brunner' (sweetheart rose) to keep it flowering. Jay's efficient method:

Technique

1. Follow the flowering stem down to the main cane.
2. Cut just below the entire cluster of spent blooms.
3. Next flush will emerge from that main cane.

If Unsure

• Brush off dead petals.
• Wait for new growth to appear from the main cane.
• Then cut just above the new growth.

Jay's philosophy: "If you are not sure—just wait, the plant knows what to do better than we do."