What Does it Mean to Pinch Back Flowers?

Mums

Deadheading, pinching back, cutting back and dead leafing are all types of maintenance done on perennial flowers. Pinching back is not necessary for flowering plant growth but can benefit certain types of flowers.

Benefits

Pinching back flowers causes a plant to produce more flowers, grow healthier and look better in the flowerbed.

Function

Pinching back is done with the thumb and forefinger to remove the dominant flower bud; this pushes the blossoming energy into the side flower buds, producing larger blooms.

Significance

Pinching back encourages perennial plants to branch and stay compact in size. It can extend the blooming season of flowers.

Types of Flowers

Flowers that benefit from pinching back are mums, asters, beebalm, phlox, Autumn Joy sedum, yarrow, Russian sage, artemisia, balloon flower, dragonhead, Veronica and Culver's root.

Warning

Flowers that produce just one terminal flower do not do well when pinched back. These flowers include columbine, astilbe, delphinium, daylily, coral bell, hosta, iris, foxglove and dianthus.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Pinching and Pruning -- A Perennial Primer