Cutting back/deadheading Sisyrinchium

Latimer

Hi all

My Sisyrinchium appears to be done flowing and is now falling over in a slightly unruly manner. I'm definitely not one for regimented neatness in the garden but it is kind of blocking the path. 

Should I cut back the spent stems? Will there be a second flush of flowers if I do? Or should i either tie a bit of string around them to hold them up or buy one of those wire curved stands to prop them up? (No idea what they are called!)

Thanks all

Dovefromabove

I think they look gorgeous like that at the moment … the brighter green of the forming seedheads is a great contrast with the glaucoma colours around them and gives that area a real energy … but they will selfseed so you’ll want to cut most of them back before the seeds ripen … so take each flowered stem back to just above the base of the plant. 

GardenerSuze

@Latimer The strong winds have added to the problem. They have flowered really well this year due to the dry weather so the weight of the flowers has caused them to fall more than they would normally. I love the way they look too, perhaps you could carefully remove a few at the base? I would deal with the seedlings as they appear next year but that does involve more work.

Latimer

Thanks both! I like the look of them too and don’t remember them being quite so untidy last year. I’ll try some remedial works to hold them upright first, see how it looks. 

Obelixx

i have dead headed all mine this year in a bid to stop the flop and also stop them self-seeding and spreading as I have enough at the mo.