Join Mr Fothergill's & Darlac in The ‘Chelsea Chop’
Gardening is for everybody, whether you have a patio with a few containers or half an acre, the principles and aims are the same - We all want to create an oasis and we all want it to be as simple as possible.
Mr Fothergill's and Darlac understand that, sometimes, terms are used that sound great but aren't always explained well enough. One of these terms is the "Chelsea Chop". So, we have decided it is time to demystify the chop and help you get the most out of your garden.
There is no great mystery to the chop - it is simply the pruning of herbaceous perennials to improve and control their shape and flowering. One of the best times to do this is in late spring which often falls around the ubiquitous flower show - hence the name.
Why is the chop recommended? Not only will cutting back herbaceous perennials in late spring improve the plants shape but it will also extend the flowering period. Newly cut stems will develop side shoots which will significantly increase the plant's total number of flowering stems. The now compact, bushy and fuller plants will also have greater weather tolerance and will be less prone to flopping over under the weight of heavy flower heads.
Another effect is to set the growth back slightly meaning the plants will flower slightly later so, if some plants are chopped while others are not, you can extend the flowering period as a whole - what's not to like?
For more details check out our blog on the Mr Fothergill's website
