There’s nothing quite like the sight (and smell!) of a rose bush in full bloom. Whether you're a newbie gardener or someone who’s been pruning for years, we all want one thing: more roses. Big, bold, beautiful blooms — and lots of them.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to buy fancy fertilizers or spend hours in the garden every day to get your roses to bloom like crazy. In fact, there’s one simple trick that can help your rose plants flower twice as much — and it’s all about deadheading.
Deadheading!
It might sound a little spooky, but it’s actually one of the easiest things you can do in your garden. And once you get the hang of it, your rose bushes will thank you with round after round of vibrant blooms.
So, what is deadheading anyway?
Deadheading means removing spent (aka dead or dying) flowers from your rose plant. Once a rose bloom starts to fade and the petals begin to fall, that flower is done. If you leave it there, the plant thinks its job is finished and starts to shift energy into producing seeds (rose hips).
But when you snip off those dead flowers, you’re telling the plant, “Hey, keep going!” The plant responds by pushing out fresh new buds — often more than before. That’s how you get a second (or even third) round of blooming during the season.
How to deadhead roses the right way
Don’t worry — it’s super simple. Here’s what to do:

• Look for faded blooms — petals wilting or falling off? That’s your cue.
• Cut just above a five-leaflet leaf — this is a spot on the stem where a healthy new shoot can grow.
• Use clean, sharp garden scissors or pruners — dull blades can damage your plant.
• Snip at a slight angle — this helps water run off the cut and keeps the plant healthy.
• Do this regularly — every few days or once a week — and your roses will keep blooming like it’s spring all over again.

Bonus tips for extra blooms
Deadheading is the magic move, but here are a few bonus tips to really help your roses thrive:
Feed your roses: Use a balanced fertilizer (look for one made for roses) every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.
Water smart: Deep watering once or twice a week is better than a little every day.
Sunlight matters: Make sure your roses are getting at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Watch for pests: Keep an eye out for aphids or black spots, and treat them early to avoid stress on your plant.
That’s it — more roses with less stress!
So next time your roses start to fade, don’t just admire the memories — grab those shears and give your plants a little pep talk (and a clean snip). With just a few minutes of care, your rose bushes will bloom again, bigger and better than ever.
Happy gardening, and get ready for a whole lot of compliments on your blooming beauties!