Chelsea Chop: What Is It? Why Do It? Which Perennials Are Good Candidates for the Chelsea Chop

[@lauraw.1289]

You read my mind! I was hoping you would cover this topic. My sedums always flop but I was also afraid to cut them back in the spring. Thank you for this information! Your channel is so enjoyable and helpful! I wish you were my neighbor : )

[@HookedandRooted]

Aww thank you so much Laura! I'm so glad it was helpful ☺🌱

[@carolynclinton9898]

I've used this method on Mums, Shasta Daisies, phlox, sedum, Artemesia schmidtiana, and several other perennials. It's a fabulous method of controlling size & shape! This video is outstanding 😍

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

Oh yes the good old Chelsea chop 🥰🥰

[@gabriellemorrow8695]

Thank you for this video. It's one of several I've watched to get the nerve to chop my plants back. Can you come down and hold my hand while I do this??🤣🤣🤣

[@RevAcres01]

Thank you for explaining the Chelsea Chop in more detail had no idea there was two methods.

[@HookedandRooted]

Your so welcome Kim! Some great suggestions in the comments as well about other ways to do the cutting, outer stems only, or inner stems only, so there's a few ways to go about it. Thanks for watching.

[@bonniegaughan2257]

I did the Chelsey Chop on my Agastache last year and worked so well!!

[@HookedandRooted]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Bonnie!

[@suzanneseely7167]

Thank you for the Chelsea Chop information. I’m going to try it on my Autumn Joy Sedum. Also I’m going to use the cuttings to start new plants directly in the garden. Your videos are always so informative and interesting.

[@HookedandRooted]

Your so welcome Suzanne, give it a try, even if just on 1 or a couple as an experiment. Thank you so much! 🥰

[@patdelaney191]

I chelsea chop the outer stems which then help to hold up the middle, plus the middle flowers first and the outer chopped stems flower slightly later. Win win.

[@HookedandRooted]

Great tip, and also another good way to go about it. Thanks for sharing Pat!

[@francesca4966]

Je fais pareil. Ça sculpte la plante, le résultat est très beau, en particulier sur les nepeta.

[@dorotaazzopardi8718]

Thank you- I appreciate you linking the resources. 😊

[@terriejohnson4884]

I did a chelsea chop on my variegated euonymus and spirea last fall. They both are coming back beautifully this spring. I was really worried I had messed up😢😂😅😊

[@HookedandRooted]

Awesome!

[@judyingram-kh1vm]

Oh Steph, your flower garden's are so beautiful and lush. Thank you for the great information about the chop, chop. ❤

[@HookedandRooted]

Thank you so much Judy! Its really picking up out there. Your very welcome! 💚

[@ashleynotabartolo6883]

Unfortunately I have deer that perform this pruning for me. Fortunately sedum is a tough plant and it comes back. I’ve since moved a bunch of munched sedums elsewhere out of sight from the wandering herd. I also plant lots of aromatic herbs that deter deer (catmint and borage, allium, oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender etc.) around my other sedums. And you are correct - sedum roots easily if you just plant the snipped shoots back in the soil. Easy to propagate 😊

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Ashley, Oh I feel your struggle. We deal with deer also. They love to go at some of my plants as well. Good tip to plant the aromatics near the deer attracting plants. I'm hoping since I have nepeta/catmint interplanted where I transplanted the sedum, it helps keep them away. Yay for easily propogated plants, more plants for free is always awesome!

[@acates617]

The deer ignore my sedum and go right to the hosta, especially the young/small hosta!!

[@jhadz7507]

I chop/trim the centers of my sedum because the heavy centers flop first for me & push open the plant It really helps!

[@HookedandRooted]

Also a great way to go about it, thanks for sharing!

[@Thunderkitty0]

I accidentally ripped out most of my native aster that I love. I thought it was a weed because a plant ID app told me so. This video reassured me because aster is a good candidate for the chop! Maybe it’ll be fine. Super helpful… this got me thinking that I should chop my sedum because I could then use them in October for flowers for my sisters wedding. She prefers the light pink and they start out lighter and then turn darker pink.

[@sandyasposito8262]

Love this, thank you so much, it is so amazing to just stick the stem's in the ground not even having to root & have many more plants!!!😄

[@HookedandRooted]

You are so welcome! I works great! 🌱

[@cindymac818]

Thank you so much for adding this video to the answer you gave me the other day. Enjoy your direct and informative videos.

[@HookedandRooted]

Your very welome Cindy! Its a very common issue with gardeners (having floppy plants), and having just transplanted this sedum, It was a very timely topic. Thanks for your comment, and have a great weekend!

[@lindislava]

I cut my sedum back every each and use the top growth for propagation. I love how it makes plant more bushy and compact.

[@laurelsayer7557]

I live in the UK, and the Chelsea Chop works brilliantly with my nepeta, border phlox, hardy geraniums, pensions and sedum. My garden can be a bit shady in places which encourages legginess in plants, so this keeps them compact and floriferous, though of course flowering is slightly delayed. I hadn't tried it with echinacea yet, will have a go this year.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Laurel! Thank you so much for sharing. That's great to hear that even in a part shade location, this will help plants. As for the delayed blooming, definitely. I've read that as well. Which is why i think the method of the chelsea chopping a portion of the plant, and leaving some in tact might help with extending bloom time, by getting some blooms sooner, and then some later ☺🌱

[@RealBradMiller]

I've done the ballroom blitz, the dougie, the time warp, the twist... But I've never done the Chelsea chop!

[@HookedandRooted]

lol, well time to get on it Brad! 😉

[@katharine5606]

I've had rabbits do the Chelsea Chop for me, but your video has given me the inspiration to do it myself when needed! The rabbit chomped/chopped Rudbeckia I currently have is doing well and more upright than the others, for sure!

[@jeanettebright3378]

My eye keeps going to the beautiful bright shrub on the left side of the screen near the sedum you are cutting. Is it a false spirea? Would you please share the variety? Your gardens are looking so beautiful!

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Jeanette! That is a sem false spirea, its certainly got gorgeous spring color! Here's a short video I made on this shrub: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap_LeGaBiJdoh8k

[@jeanettebright3378]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question! ♥️

[@kristinfarrington4846]

Helpful. Thanks

[@hd1ab1]

I thought about it for some Salvia and the yarrow but I think I'm past my window. (MD, zone 7) I'll probably cut blooms for foral arrangements for the house and, therefore, be doing a modified chop, hopefully getting some blooms now, some blooms later. There's always next spring!😊

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Janice, I don't think you are. Choose a plant and maybe just do the backside to experiment, like you say a modified chop lol. Have great weekend.

[@LetsGardenYall]

Thanks for the timely reminder. I noticed last year I had a few to flop and wanted to try this year & now I want forget!

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Tina, Its time to snip! Thanks for watching.

[@trishferrer8209]

Loved this video! Loved the soft music, too.

[@HookedandRooted]

Thank you Trish 😊

[@pamhastings3857]

Thank you so much! So informative. I so appreciate you sharing your knowledge and your beautiful garden!!!! Blessings to you!

[@HookedandRooted]

Your so welcome Pam, and thank you so much!

[@lindamiller394]

Thanks for this video.

[@HookedandRooted]

You're so welcome Linda!

[@catherinezsalas512]

Hello Steph! I have done the Chelsea Chop of my nepeta with success. Thank you for sharing the information on planting the cut sedum stems. I will cut a few stems today and plant them around my sedum garden. Happy Gardening! 🐞🐞

[@HookedandRooted]

Your so welcome, hope those cuttings work for you as well. Its so fun to try! and so glad to hear this method has worked well for you Catherine.

[@capecodcottagegarden]

I've never heard of the Chelsea Chop but it makes perfect sense. I just purchased 3 Autumn Joy sedum and I'm so excited to get them in the ground. Thanks for sharing Steph:). P.S. I love your hair, it looks fabulous:)

[@robertbaker9775]

Very helpful info, thank you!

[@HookedandRooted]

Your very welcome Robert!

[@msmaddox2918]

I think I might try this on my Autumn Joy Sedum! Thanks Steph! 😊

[@amberwidenhofer1626]

Great video topic!

[@HookedandRooted]

Thanks Amber 😊

[@bethdurbin3279]

Thank you for teaching me about this. I didn’t know there was a name for it. I have a sedum I have had for many years and I would love to have more of it in other places in my gardens. I may try this and put the cuttings in some pots with potting soil and see if I can get them to grow. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love from Ohio.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Beth, You're so welcome! So easy to propogate, just take some clippings and stick it into soil. Its fun to experiment in the garden, and even better when the experiment gives you more plants! Thank you for watching from Ohio, and happy gardening ☺🌱

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

Hey Steph, another great video! Your garden is looking gorgeous ❤

[@HookedandRooted]

Thank you so much Janette! 💚

[@sammysworld5485]

Great tip! I do this to my pansies as well to avoid legginess. Blooms out more compact. Timing is crucial. 🌺

[@longwayfromhome1556]

I always Chelsea chop my tall phlox this time of year, I take half off and it flowers beautifully.

[@HookedandRooted]

Wonderful to hear, thank you so much for sharing your experience ☺🌱

[@cyndikatzen5675]

Thanks steph. I once Chelsea chopped my penstemon, but not good results

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Cyndi, I'm sorry to hear that. What was your experience?

[@anu374]

Steph! Thankyou so much for this very informative video and answering all our questions. I am looking forward to dividing and propagating my sedum. Anu@ Toronto

[@HookedandRooted]

Your so welcome Anu! Have fun, and its a great way to get more plants for free! Growing our gardens on a budget is so rewarding.

[@bobbiwithane]

Enjoying your videos/info Stef, thanks! I’ve never heard of that saying Chelsea chop! I was told by a landscape designer to cut autumn joy by 1/3 on July 1st. I’m in zone 5 (Toronto, Ontario CA). Maybe better to do now? Makes sense. Going to try for sure. I have other sediums that do not like being chopped. It’s more of a hot pink/lime green colour but as hardy as autumn joy. Take care!

[@SharkSandwich451]

I’m so going to do this on my sedum.

[@HookedandRooted]

Give it a go! 🌱

[@SharkSandwich451]

@@HookedandRooted You know what? The Chelsea Chop will definitely work on established Sedum. The one you transplanted do need gentler handling I’d think. And the Chelsea Flower Show is on my bucket list I really don’t care how much it costs me.

[@brianlorbach8796]

Thank you for this video. Very informative. Is the little plant next to your sedum with the little purple flowers a salvia?

[@HookedandRooted]

Your welcome Brian, thanks so much for watching. That is nepeta (catmint) a variety called cats pajamas. It stays pretty compact.

[@yesidtac7863]

Excelente

[@HookedandRooted]

Gracias Yesid!

[@jewellcrawford5136]

I just pulled up a sedum that is starting to bloom so I wonder if I should wait to do the Chelsea chop. It is rather tall but was in a bad place so I’ll be replanting it tomorrow. Thanks

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Jewell, Here in my zone 6b (Massachusetts U.S.), the rule of thumb is by July 4th. So depending on where you are, you should still be able too. You would sacrafice these blooms, for blooms later in the season, but also a shorter bushier plant with potentially more blooms coming from side shoots.

[@jewellcrawford5136]

@@HookedandRooted Thanks

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

You noted penstemon. Mine are flowering now can i cut after the flowers are done?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi there, yes, you can deadhead or cut them back after blooming. The Chelsea chop is usually done before the perennial blooms to encourage more sturdy plants with later blooms. But at this point, it would just be a deadhead/prune, which should also help with getting a second flush of blooms.

[@kritomoralea]

Can you please make a video with the plants that need fertilizer? Thanks!

[@shegan754]

I cut back my sedum and my mums around mothers day every year to keep them from getting floppy

[@TheJohnGent1]

What is the small weeping tree in the background?

[@Warrior_Mom4]

Hello, I am in gardening Zone 6a. Is it too early for coneflowers to “wake up”? Or should I expect them to wake up in June/July. I planted two varieties purple and red last year in early September and I am hoping they survived the winter.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

I’m going to test on mountain mint, milkweed and hibiscus. They were all floppy or spindly last year. Does that sound potentially successful?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi there, I'm not sure about the milkweed and hibiscus, but the mint sounds like a good candidate to try this on!

[@joydaniel597]

Hi may I know what shrub is that with a look like chartreuse color foliage and how far apart is it planted next to the wall of the house. Thanks in advance.

[@saphire82]

I bought some purple sprite phlox this year and never had phlox before, if I chop it down will it rebloom?

[@lorrainecourtney4589]

Hmmm, I always chop my sedum and mums around July 4th

[@HookedandRooted]

I can see that being fine for both as they are both later bloomers. If by July 4th works for you, that's great. I'm sure this could also depend on your gardening zone and temps. But late Spring (around the time of the Chelsea Flower show) is a general guide. Thanks for watching and for sharing Lorraine.

[@lorrainecourtney4589]

@@HookedandRooted thanks for the background on the Chelsea flower shpw, fun fact. I am in PA 😁

[@jimrimoczi5712]

If you cut it back by a third, throw what you cut off into a vase and you will get new roots and more flowers.

[@alcg3981]

For some reason, I thought Chelsea Chop had something to do with chopping flowers and fussing with them at some point before the show to have awesome blooms at the show. It seemed logical, kind of like dog or cat shows where the fur babes are clipped, etc. I just did that with an Oxalis I have, it has pink flowers and I just go in a twist half of the 6" long stems off.

[@HookedandRooted]

Ahh very interesting perspective! It certainly sounds logical. Thank you for watching.

[@pharmkid02]

Please tell me what is name of that weeping evergreen to your right?

[@HookedandRooted]

Hello, Its calle a blue atlas cedar in a serpentine shape.

[@Ladyloubug9]

Catmint really? Wish I had known a month ago cause mine are already budded and leggy 🙃

[@HookedandRooted]

lol sorry Polly, I hope you'll save this information and give it a try next year.

[@Ladyloubug9]

@@HookedandRooted i have always tried to nip sedum and mums but didn’t realize how many perennials this works with. Thank you for the video 🥰

[@celestegranell8766]

Is august too late in zone 7b to propogate sedum?

[@HookedandRooted]

I don't think its too late. Take some cuttings and stick them in some soil and see what happens. Worst case they don't grow roots. Best case they do. Its fun to try anyway 🌱

[@celestegranell8766]

@@HookedandRooted I’m over the moon that you responded. I watch your videos all the time. I will do that. It’s definitely worth a try

[@mariemcgrath8681]

Great info. I didn't know. However, glad you're not a hair dresser.

[@HookedandRooted]

😂🤣 Good Point Marie! lol

[@silencedflower8441]

I was gonna give you an earful if you tossed all those clippings. 😂

[@HookedandRooted]

lol, oh I know better!! More plants, yes please! ☺🌱

[@silencedflower8441]

@@HookedandRooted Right?!! Can never have enough perennials.🪴💗Can always spread them out to other areas! Make great gifts too. 🫶🏻

[@ncflowergirl1446]

Great my yarrow and Daisies are flopping already this year

[@HookedandRooted]

Give it a try and see how it goes! ☺

[@jennigypsymayzik2842]

Thank you so very much for this video I was wondering if I can take cuttings from my sedum and grow more without having to spend a fortune on more plants. Your the best Steph🤍🌷🤍

[@elizabethlake6986]

They divide so easily