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Chelsea Chop. Now or later?

B3B3 Posts: 26,573
in Plants
This is about the size  I want my sedums to be when they flower  
Should I  chop them now or wait a bit?

In London. Keen but lazy.
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Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 22,669
    I've always done it in late May. I think it's a bit early now.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,573
    Thanks @Busy-Lizzie
    I think I was either too late or too cowardly last year🙄
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I’d like to do it to my daisies, think marguerites but I’ve always forgotten. Some are starting to bud now so I guess after the first flowering?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 2,795
    Like you B3, I've delayed in the past and then it's been too late!  It seems slightly churlish to chop them back after they've made it through winter and just started to make your borders look cheerful!  Also there appears to be two versions - chopping the whole plant back or just half the stems - more decision making to cause more delay! 😊 Which version are you planning to do?
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FireFire Posts: 17,403
    I'm in the same position. Mine have buds but are too small to chop. I have decided to wait for Chelsea.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,573
    Short round the edges and longer in the middle. Part of my cowardly approach. @Plantminded
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,959
    A bit early for me as well.
    I was just wondering if anyone Chelsea chops Eupatorium rugosa "Chocolate" ?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,656
    Don't be too hasty @B3.  It's called the Chelsea chop because it's done when the Chelsea Flower Show is on.  If your garden is very warm or shletered you could maybe advance it by a week to 10 days.

    GW recommends 11 plants for the chop - https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/11-plants-to-chelsea-chop/

    But this blogger has done it to his eupatorium with excellent results with a few that aren't on that list, including eupatoriums.  He reports on teh results too so you can be brave. - https://www.oxoniangardener.co.uk/chelsea-chop-final-chapter-49/
     
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,573
    Achillea. That's interesting. I'll definitely give that one a go. Penstemons chopped ages ago. I wonder if they mean do another 🤔
    @Obelixx
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,959
    Thanks for that link @Obelixx, extremely interesting. I shall definitely be following the advice and also reading more of the blog  :)
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