The "Chelsea Chop" is a method that can be used to prune some types of tall flowering perennial plants to reduce their height and prevent them from flopping over later in the growing season. This pruning technique will also delay flowering. It is called the Chelsea Chop because the timing coincides with the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in May. You can cut some perennials back by one-third to one-half of their height in mid to late May. You can use this pruning method on plants such as New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), beebalm (Monarda sp.), Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium/Eutrochium), New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), mountain mints (Pycnanthemum sp.), Goldenrods (Solidago/Euthamia), Helen’s flower (Helenium), summer phlox (Phlox paniculata), and Culver’s root (Veronicastrum). Here, Emily demonstrates this technique on cut-leaved coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata). Some perennial plants such as ornamental grasses and blazing star (Liatris) will not benefit from this type of pruning. If you're in Maryland and have questions about pruning, contact us at go.umd.edu/Ask...
__
The University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center's mission is to develop and deliver science-based, sustainable gardening information and solutions through outreach education for better human and environmental health.
Send us your plant and pest questions. Our Certified Professional Horticulturists, faculty, and Master Gardeners are ready to help! go.umd.edu/AskE...
Explore our extensive gardening content online. extension.umd.e...
11 окт 2024
