Some pruning/dead heading questions

[KateG]

Sorry, I'm on a roll to night

Firstly I have an aquilegea in the garden. most of the flowers have gone now, so how do I dead head? If I just take the heads off it leaves an unsightly stalk...As I say, most of the flowers have gone and there won't be much left..


Secondly, I've got a bay bush that is being re-potted this week. However the majority of the leaves are yellow or green with blotches. Should I prune (if so, how much and when?) or will it be ok once it is in a bigger pot?

Thank you

[vicky]

Aquilegia, unless I want the seeds I will dead head - but I cut the entire plants - all the leaves, everything, down to the ground! It looks a bit drastic but you get lovely fresh new growth in a week or so.

The bay is more tricky, think I would only trim those stems that are not in the right place and leave the rest. It sounds like it needs some TLC rather than pruning, so once it's repotted and has lots of lovely feed it should start to grow new leaves.

[KateG]

Brilliant, thank you for your advice. I'll get them both sorted in the morning.

[Flummery]

I leave aquilegia - and foxgloves and poppies too. The new plants you get make a lovely unstudied cottage garden effect - which is what I like. Great excuse for being an untidy gardener too!