Hampton hack? Which perennials will rebloom?

[gingerspaniel]

Hello all,

Looking for some guidance from you more experienced gardeners!

We put in a couple of new flower beds this year and have planted everything from 9cm pots, most of which has done really well. Many of my perennials are now faded and going over. I have read that the likes of salvias and snapdragons will come back again if I cut down hard and feed now?

I have already deadheaded my alchemilla mollis (just the flowers - is this right) roses lupins foxgloves and geraniums. But I also have salvias (couple different varieties), veronicas, astrantias, nemesia and scabious all looking like they could do with a perk up and I wonder if these are likely to rebloom? Previously I have just deadheaded end of summer.

My hydrangeas are also looking a bit frazzled, despite watering twice a day in this heat I can tell they are struggling. One in particular (runway bride) which I put in the ground last year has really gone over, very brown flowers. Should I just chop the flower heads off them and be done with it?

Finally, its my first time growing penstemons (from 9cm plants), they haven't flowered yet aside from one variety which just seemed to grow floppy rather than upright. I was really disappointed - is this normal?

Thanks for your advice!

I don’t know the answer to this but have been deadheading/cutting back anything that looks tired as it can’t hurt: I’d rather things put on healthy growth (even if just roots, for next year) or preferably rebloom this season vs going to seed

I think the heatwave might mean some plants struggle more this year - I have many of the same plants also new from 9cm this year & cutting off spent blooms 🤞🏼

Hampton Hack? Not heard of this. Is it a Chelsea Chop done after flowering rather than before?

Whether something will rebloom I guess depends partly on how much effort a plant puts into its flowers and when they develop. Foxgloves have flower buds in the axils of the leaves waiting to bloom if necessary and will rebloom. Roses won’t unless they are a “repeat flowering” variety.

@BlooberryBiskits Fingers crossed!!

@MereDintofPandiculation I hadn't heard of it either until I was googling pruning salvias and came across a couple of articles recommending it www.juliecoxgardendesign.co.uk/blog/the-hampton-hack/

Thanks for your responses

Lupins, Delphiniums, Crainsbill Geraniums, Knautia, Astrantia and salvia will all rebloom after the faded flower spikes are removed. Sometimes oriental poppies will, but I’ve never had it happen to mine.
Deadheading annuals (bedding plants) such as your nemisia will make them flower for longer. Basically when a plant has flowered and set seed they think their seasonal job is over, so deadhead as soon as the flower fades. Some Penstemon are floppy, then the flower spike emerges and they perk up.
My white hydrangea always goes a bit brown and the flowers don’t last as long as the pink/ purple/ blue ones. I prune them off and new flower heads appear.