The Chelsea Chop technique offers several benefits for herbaceous perennial plants in the garden:
- Delayed flowering: By performing the Chelsea Chop, you can delay the bloom time of certain plants.
This can be advantageous for creating a more extended blooming period throughout the growing
season, allowing you to enjoy a flowering display over a longer period. Try just using the Chelsea
Chop the front of the clump, you can enjoy a staggered bloom season from a single plant. - Increased branching: Pruning back the stems of plants encourages lateral growth and branching. This
results in fuller, bushier plants with strong-growing forms. It can prevent plants from becoming leggy
or top-heavy, resulting in a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. - Sturdier growth: The plants develop stronger stems that are less likely to flop over, particularly for
tall perennials that tend to have weak or elongated stems. Shorter plants enhance the overall
appearance and prevent the need for staking or support structures. - Extended plant life: The Chelsea Chop can help rejuvenate and extend the life of perennial plants. By
stimulating new growth and preventing plants from becoming overly mature or woody, you can
encourage healthier and longer-lasting plants in your garden. - Increased flower production: Pruning back certain plants through the Chelsea Chop technique can
result in increased flower production. More lateral branches and shorter stems often lead to
numerous flowers on a more compact plant, creating a more vibrant and abundant display. - Easier maintenance: By promoting compact growth and preventing flopping or sprawling, the
Chelsea Chop can make the maintenance of herbaceous perennials easier. The plants are more
manageable in terms of watering, staking, deadheading, and general care.
When do I do it?
The Chelsea Chop got its name from the famous garden show that takes place in England in late May— which is historically when the pruning method should be used, I do it around (Memorial Day). I also chop a second time the first week in July (Fourth of July). If you have an established plant that’s become too big for its allotted space, late spring pruning can help keep it from overshadowing its neighbors. Bloom time will be delayed by a couple of weeks but having a tidier plant could be a good trade-off. When the plant reaches
about one-third of its ultimate height (usually by late May), shear off the top third of the plant’s stems.
What plants are ideal candidates?
Many summer- and autumn-flowering perennials, such as these, are perfect for the Chelsea Chop.
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
Bellflower (Campanula spp.)
Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.)
Upright sedum (Hylotelephium spp.)
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Golden marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria)
Sneezeweed (Helenium spp.)
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Blue Star (Amsonia illustris)
Joe Pye Weed: Also known as Eutrochium
Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis),