But it might bud then and you end up removing buds?
Yes, you sacrifice early flowering for the creation strong, stockier plants that flower later and fuller later in the season. Worth noting that this only works with certain plants that will rebound in this way - not all.
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Would veronica longifolia work for removing a third in May?
Interesting about chopping penstemon. I was wondering about that. I guess for campanula, they mean the taller varieties. I'm not sure I'd risk the phlox just yet.
I had a go at a campanula ‘loddon Anna’ a couple of years ago which had always been a bit too tall and flimsy for my liking and it responded really well, about a foot shorter but much sturdier and flowered well
I've potted on the Chelsea Chopped sedum to grow on as cuttings. They shortly make full grown plants for elsewhere. It doesn't matter if they have buds. Pinch them off.
When I’ve got lots of time, I Chelsea chop them in Chelsea Flower Show week, but get ready for this, not en masse and across the lot, I cut 1 in 3 stems down to half one week, then the next 1 in 3 the following week, then the final cut of the remainder the following week. It gives delayed and prolonged flowering as well as keeping them sturdy and upright. Works for me! I really should get out more ……….
The defining factor is whether the plants are actually big enough to chop in the first place. Never done it as they simply aren't a big enough size in May here.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Never done it as they simply aren't a big enough size in May here.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A heavy frost 2 nights ago has very effectively "chelsea chopped" my Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ .....
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime