I live in Atlanta, but was recently in the Waynesville, North Carolina area. While there, I carefully collected samples of blooming Fire Pink and Bachelor's Button.

I successfully transplanted these to my backyard garden and now the blooms on both flowers have gone and the heads are closing.

Here's my question: When is the best time to snip off the seed head, so I can save the seed to plant next year? I've already collected some Fire Pink and Bachelor's Button seed heads which looked completely brown and dry. I left the heads that still had a bit of green to them, or to the stem immediately under the seed head.

Is there a benefit to letting the seed head completely dry on the plant? I'm worried that if I wait too long, the head may open and disperse its seeds. On the other hand, I worry that cutting the seed heads while still green may result in incompletely formed seeds.

Any information would be appreciated.

Hyperboy