How To Deadhead Bleeding Heart And Salvia Did I Kill My Plant By Cutting Back To Bottom Of Stems

Question From: c. sullivan - South Amboy, New Jersey, United States
Q: I was deadheading spent blooms on my bleeding heart but cut them off at the bottom of the stem itself. OMG, did I ruin my plant? With salvia, do I snip the bottom of the flower spike itself or go farther down? I want to deadhead but not stop the flowering. HELP!!!!

A: You did not kill your bleeding heart. When deadheading cut the stem back to the next node - point where a leaf and possibly a small stem or bud is emerging. When there are no more buds left cut the stem back to the base of the plant. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy