Chelsea Chopping!

Robert West · May 2023

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had experience of CCing Heleniums (the ones I have usually grow to about 90cm) and/or Solidago. I have Goldenrod and some dwarf varieties.

If so, how much should I chop off? Not sure I'll do the smaller Solidago as I'm guessing it won't make a huge difference to them, but might do the Goldenrod if people think it is worth it. Heleniums I'd definitely like to do as I wouldn't mind those being a bit shorter as they have a tendency to start leaning quite a bit.

Also, has anyone CC'd Achillea (Cloth of Gold) or Monarda?

Thanks in advance

punkdoc · May 2023

It will only work if you live somewhere where you get fairly early flowering. If I do it to my Heleniums, they don't flower at all.

I don't think you can do Achillea, don't know about Monarda.

Probably the best way to do Helenium, if you think you get early enough flowering, is to chop the front half of the clump, and leave the back. You will then get 2 lots of flowering.

rossdriscoll13 · May 2023

@Robert West on the GW website there is a feature of 11 plant you can do the Chelsea Chop on including Heleniums and Achillea. But after doing it you need to water and feed them.

Fairygirl · May 2023

As @punkdoc says - the plants have to be big enough to start with, so it depends where you're located. I couldn't do it with anything here.
The cutting front half and leaving the back method works well though if your plants are big enough. I'd have thought achillea would be fairly adaptable though, and certainly heleniums.
I think the half and half might work with monarda, but I have no experience of doing it. Solidago would be chopped at the ankles as often as possible in my garden if it appeared, as I particularly dislike it! The half and half method might work though - you could always try it, as it's a fairly hefty grower, and very tough.

Chelsea Chopping!

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