do I deadhead lupins

Hi, If I dead head my lupins am I likely to get a second flush?? If so do i do it directly below the flowers?

 

Yes, one does. If you look down the stem you should see another small flower bud, cut back to that. If there are none, then cut right back to where the old flower stem emerges from the plant. The next lot of lfowers are usually smaller. Also if you leave the flower heads to go to seed, you a. weaken the plant. b. get lots of poorer quality seedlings coming up in and around your original plant.

 

If you cut them right down you might get a second flush if they are in a good location. If they are in a good location I'd suggest cutting them down to an inch above the ground, leaves and all - the next flush of leaves are fresh looking and will last the rest of the season.

If you cut them to the next flower bud down (as suggested by Palustris) you get a succession of progressively smaller flower heads for a while which might be what you want, but slowly the whole plant takes on a down at heel, shabby aura, so that eventually one wants to cut it right down. If you do this the resulting 'hole' in the border lasts for several weeks in my experience and is rather depressing. I personally have the same objection to Papaver orientale; not enough 'show' for too much 'hole'.