Chelsea Chop

Yes, I know it's a long time off but a bit of planning never hurt! I'd be really pleased to hear of people's experiences using this technique (i.e. cutting back perennials by half to two thirds around the end of May) It worked brilliantly with my Anthemis tinctoria this year. What else have you tried and did it work??

Re: Chelsea Chop

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Sue,
I haven't really done the 'Chelsea Chop' except with garden mums. I am, however, a big fan of pinching perennials before flowering. An American author/horticulturalist, Tracy DiSabato-Aust, in her The Well-Tended Perennial Garden book, has a great, informative chapter on when, how, and what to pinch back.
Kathy C.