Deadheading

The slowing end of summer always signifies a special time for me in the garden...usually a time when deadheading and pruning is encouraged. I have to make a small mention of Dutch garden designer Piet Udolf ("...if the world of gardening has rock stars, Piet Oudolf qualifies as Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Prince rolled into one..."). 

Flowers and seasonal plants fade - instead of rushing into the garden with pruning shears - Oudolf advocates embracing decay....faded blooms, grasses, seedpods, seedheads: these all become structural elements that can sing in the garden right throughout winter. These memento mori have beautiful colours and textures...and I find myself hardpressed to nip out spent blooms for their beautiful colours and textures. 

Deadheading combines shades of earthy floral tones with speckles, pinks and faded dusky reds.