THE CHELSEA CHOP
When one talks of gardening in the month of May, without doubt the Chelsea flower show will spring to mind. However, due to the unprecedented events this year and the prohibition of the coming together of large groups of people and social gatherings has equated to the nations favourite flower show unfortunately being cancelled. For the first ever time the show will be a virtual event which can be viewed online: Nevertheless, just because there is no actual Chelsea flower show it does not mean that we cannot partake in the Chelsea Chop. The Chelsea Chop, to clarify, is a pruning method to determine the size, shape and the flowering season of many of the herbaceous perennial plants. It is so called as it is carried out towards the end of May, coinciding with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It is suitable for late flowering perennials. But, why should we carry out the Chelsea Chop? It goes against the natural instinct to drastically cut back a plant prior to flowering. If a herbaceous perennial is chopped down to half its height, using secateurs or shears, it will delay the flowering until later in the summer. The plant will be more compact and shorter which equates to less staking and the flowers can be more numerous if slightly smaller. This is because the top shoots have been eliminated and side shoots lower down will develop and produce the new flowers. Overall, the plants will look much tidier and less leggy. If only half of the perennial clump is cut down, such as the front section, this will induce a prolonged flowering season as the rear section will flower first, then followed later by the pruned front section. Plants which can benefit from the Chelsea Chop are: - Phlox paniculata - Echinacea purpurea - Helenium - Rudbeckias - Penstemons - Nepeta The following are suitable for coastal gardens: - Anthemis tinctoria - Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ - Achillea - Aster ‘michaelmas daisy’ - Campanulas The Chelsea Chop is hugely beneficial for perennials subjected to the coastal environment of wind and salt spray. The chop creating shorter and stiffer stems and more stability. The Chelsea Flower Show will be greatly missed this year, so why not visit the gardeners world website and their own guide to carrying out the Chelsea Chop. https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/how-to-do-the-chelsea-chop/
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AuthorHello everyone, Green Landscapes Cornwall are sharing with you some ideas about how to implement different features for your garden! Archives
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