Chelsea chop

I saw this on another forum and it reminded me that I should chop my Sedum back. Does anyone exercise the chop? This gives some details http://www.rhs.org.uk/Learning/Publications/pubs/garden0805/perennialcuts.htm

Traditionally the Chelsea chop consists of cutting back Sedum spectabile to about half height at the time of the Chelsea Flower Show. This makes it flower only a bit later, but it will be shorter and bushier and consequently won't fall over. I have Tracy DiSabato-Aust's book that they mention in the link above. In it she says you can cut most perennials back in the same way.

 

Pete we have some at the caravan in North wales and we never touch it. Not one of my favourites, but it thrives year after year with no interference from use. 02

 

Peter :Tried this technique with one of two Aster 'Monch' last year and it worked very well - may have a go with one or two other 'reserve' plants of Helenium and will certainly clip back the Nepetas after flowering. Worth a go if you are brave enough?

 

PeterS

That's fascinating - thanks for posting. I bought a phlox paniculata recently and it looks a bit lanky already, not to mention severely chewed by the slugs. Having read that article, I'm definitely going to cut it back and give it a feed next week.

I used to have a whole bed of sedum spectabile in a previous garden and it's true the plants used to grow upwards and outwards at quite a pace but then flop quite badly by the end of the summer. It seems like I should have taken the shears to them early on, but the neighbours would have thought I'd really lost it!

 

Did not want to start a new thread on this topic of Chelsea chop, so I see there is one.
Now, we use this Chop on Sedums, Mums, Asters, Phlox.
So any more plants that would benefit from this that we know of?

 

I've read about the Chelsea Chop several times here and elsewhere, but never been brave enough to try it. I have several beautiful Sedums that always flop and might try it on one of them next May.

Might...

 

Yeah, I know the Might feeling. But got to do it. I'll hold your hand next year and together with the forces of a good blade do the deed.

 

Like dividing Hostas. I know it works and they need to be done next Spring as they've outgrown their pots, but I'm nervous about killing them (silly, I know - I divide other perennials no bother).

 

Oh, you have them in pots. Mine are all in grown, so I can just leave them, got plenty of space for them all. I did however revamp an area and had to move 5 huge ones a few years ago, and dispersed them in other areas by divining them out. I just have them out completely from the ground, lay them on their sides, position a good shovel at the split spot and with one good push with the foot slice down. They were so big I think I got 4 good sizes off each. And all is well the next year, up fine and dandy.

 

I'd love them in the borders, but so would the slugs! They also provide a bit of summer foliage interest outside the kitchen door which is full length glass, in an area that is shaded most of the day and looks very bare otherwise, so they suit my purpose well. Looks like I'll have even more next year!

 

This Sedum in a pot has flopped over and split in the middle last two years.....With a pretty severe "Chelsea Chop" it is compact and looking pretty good this year........So thanks Peter.....:thumb:

 

did the chop this past July, and the outcome was wonderful. They stand up very nice.

 

I did it on a smaller one and it's not bloomed yet, but has lots of buds and isn't flopping.

 

Meant to say Roders, that's rather a splendid Sedum you have!

Which variety is the one with red as opposed to pink flowers? I want one.