Deadhead Joe-Pye

Question

I planted my plant this Spring and it added so much to my butterfly garden, but now the flowers are drying up and turning brown. Do I deadhead it for more flowers or is it done for the season?
Thanks

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Answer 1

This is a personal decision as it will not affect bloom very much. There are a few side shoots that bloom but they are small. Birds love the seeds and use the seed fluff in their nests. However, allowing it to go to seed means it will self-sow. I have not found that it aggressively self-sows: that is, it isn't a nuisance and unwanted seedlings are easily pulled. Titmice, juncos, chickadees and wrens are among the seed lovers of this plant.