What I meant to say was before I "knew" anything about the "Chelsea chop" I was already doing it. It simply made sense to me. So, fashionable was wrong term.
However, Jim, it's good to debate, argue, compare notes, etc. I take on board everybody's views and then do it my way.
I remember the great Geoff Hamilton advocating hard pruning of hypericum hidcote to control rust. I was already doing that for exactly same reason......I'm not especially clever but fairly logical and I was fairly new to gardening.
We all learn in our own way.
Yes, I totally agree. We think we're so smart but really it takes us ages to get the simplest thing.
I'm totally confused regarding the perennials and just think I will do half and half, call it an experiment
Don't worry it's complicated We think because we can repeat what's been said we get it. Ugh Ughhh! I remember in I think 'Insignificance' Marilyn Monroe explains Relativity to Einstein. He's totally blown away and tells her very few people get it. She very modestly explains that she doesn't get it all but she's just learned it like a script. Such a profound moment and so true of how we all are and why we should always be humble in case we make ourselves look stupid. which I do all the time.
As with many internet threads people usually only appear to disagree. My rounded argument I've presented all along really has had both sides of the debate though I've tried to steer you into doing the 'less work' method which is to plant now but that might not suite you.
You need to ask yourself what it is you want. As you can see from the debate, happy plants can be achieved in many ways. So, that's not an issue. Do you want big impact this summer but planting out other things to fill gaps, moderate borders now and less work, or variations on the theme. Simples! You decide.
Love debates on my fav hobby but all good humoured and respectful of other viewpoints
Yes, me too, I love a good debate and don't take it too seriously. I edited my replay very badly though, but I see you didn't take any offence. You probably didn't read it all, I don't think most people do, I try to keep my replies down to a few lines but when you touch type it's too easy to waffle on. Especially on days when it's doing nothing but rain.
It has brightened up here a bit - I should be outside. Even yon widgets are out and boinging on their trampoline. Verdun, I have only heard the term 'the Chelsea chop' for the first time this year, so chances are your lady heard it too, so understood what you were doing and why.
Put up some new strip lights in the garage over my potting bench so I've got no excuse for not getting in there and doing some work. I didn't realise how much stuff was hiding in the gloom. I can pot up some seedlings tomorrow now. I can't plant them out because the meadow is too long to get in there so they will have to wait for autumn. I've got 240 cowslips, 120 cosmos 120 birds foot trefoil, and 240 dropwort to do though. Yikes. If only I could put them in the freezer until autumn. And I've just ordered more seed. This is the only reason I'm not going to plant them now: …
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Don't worry it's complicated We think because we can repeat what's been said we get it. Ugh Ughhh!
I remember in I think 'Insignificance' Marilyn Monroe explains Relativity to Einstein. He's totally blown away and tells her very few people get it. She very modestly explains that she doesn't get it all but she's just learned it like a script. Such a profound moment and so true of how we all are and why we should always be humble in case we make ourselves look stupid. 
which I do all the time. 
As with many internet threads people usually only appear to disagree. My rounded argument I've presented all along really has had both sides of the debate though I've tried to steer you into doing the 'less work' method which is to plant now but that might not suite you.
You need to ask yourself what it is you want. As you can see from the debate, happy plants can be achieved in many ways. So, that's not an issue. Do you want big impact this summer but planting out other things to fill gaps, moderate borders now and less work, or variations on the theme. Simples! You decide.
Yes, me too, I love a good debate and don't take it too seriously. I edited my replay very badly though, but I see you didn't take any offence. You probably didn't read it all,
I don't think most people do, I try to keep my replies down to a few lines but when you touch type it's too easy to waffle on. 
Especially on days when it's doing nothing but rain. 
Well whatever I decide to do it won't be getting done today.......rain looks set for the rest of the day now
Thank you gentlemen for the debate
I was hoping I hadn't started an argument and glad it didn't get too heated 
It has brightened up here a bit - I should be outside. Even yon widgets are out and boinging on their trampoline. Verdun, I have only heard the term 'the Chelsea chop' for the first time this year, so chances are your lady heard it too, so understood what you were doing and why.
Put up some new strip lights in the garage over my potting bench so I've got no excuse for not getting in there and doing some work. I didn't realise how much stuff was hiding in the gloom. I can pot up some seedlings tomorrow now. I can't plant them out because the meadow is too long to get in there so they will have to wait for autumn.
I've got 240 cowslips, 120 cosmos 120 birds foot trefoil, and 240 dropwort to do though. Yikes. If only I could put them in the freezer until autumn. 
And I've just ordered more seed. This is the only reason I'm not going to plant them now: …
Lets hope the insects, bats and birds are thinking the same thing.
Thanks 
If you like neat a meadow would drive you nuts Verdun
In the sticks near Peterborough