How do I get perennials to bloom all summer?

Q: Some of my perennials that bloomed in late spring and early summer were beautiful! Will they bloom again?

A: Many perennials can be encouraged to rebloom by selectively pruning after a plant's initial flush of blooms. Perennials such as Tickseed (Coreopsis) will bloom all summer with continual deadheading of the spent flower and stem.

Removing the flowering spikes of Blazing Star or Gayfeather (Liatris) down to basal foliage often encourages the plant to bloom into August and September. When entire flowering clusters of Spiderwort (Tradescantia) are finished blooming, deadheading can encourage the plant to bloom for the entire summer.

Perennials such as Bluestar (Amsonia), Astilbe, and Poppy (Papaver) will not rebloom with deadheading.