A few feet away from the ocean, her Sullivan’s Island garden struggled in salty winds that blew towards Charleston. Only sea oats thrived on this sand. But she wanted English perennial lushness surrounding the cottage. A purple clematis sputtered on the lattice. A spindly balloon flower flopped into sand-spurs.
Now the way I've heard it, it's called the Chelsea Chop because of the timing. You do it *when* the Chelsea Flower Show is running. It's a mnemonic to help you remember when to do it. Except in my cold climate, it's often too early. I need to wait another couple of weeks. In your climate, I'd think waiting until the Chelsea show would be too late.
I have a platycodon grandiflorus or blue balloon flower that must live in a pot to protect it from wildlife and it probably would benefit from pruning but instead, it’s propped and it blooms from the tips and it is deadheaded and continues to bloom following the snipping of spent blooms until til late summer. At that time I save some of those seed heads to share. This plant is so old but so reliable! It’s probably 25 yrs old, bought at Green Thumb so long ago!
I love the way you weave story telling with gardening Jenks!! Did you ever see “A Bug’s Life”? It’s animated and the story of Aesop’s Fable about the Grasshopper and the ant. It’s one of my favorite movies ever.
Chelsea Flower Show is at the end of May - summer perennials are not big enough in April and May to cut back in preparation for that date. They have to be treated so as to bring them forward, to get them flowering early.
The 'Chelsea Chop' is just about cutting some garden plants down, partly or wholly, to make them flower later or smaller.
That's the point of the story...is just a name for pruning. I don't know where you garden but in our climate, summer perennials are way big and often in need of a serious hair cut in April and May.
Yes but this is a story about how I learned The phrase. Many years ago. My friend as long dead so she can’t be corrected. And honestly I think it’s a little pretentious to Even use it in the deep south!
" I’m a professional gardener who went to three Universities and gardens in the Deep South. But I’m a self-taught writer. " That is from my profile so if a reader is curious and willing to read, they know that. Garden readers in the Deep South have dealt with this issue our entire lives as most books and magazines are focused on the North or California (or ridiculously English gardens.) We get lovely pictures of Russian Sage and mentions of Snowdrops (Galanthus) that will not grow here. Even you assumed that perennials are not big enough to chop in May. You asked a huge question, but one I'm tired of dealing with because popular press sends out so much bad info for my climate without ever acknowledging which climate they write for -- assuming we all live in usda zone 6 or zone 7. But I do try to #deepsouth #southcarolinagardens and to be specific in my general descriptions. How do you cope with it?
I don’t know how to post a picture. I tried copy and paste. Yes, it is in full bloom. It is a 3-4 year old plant and maybe 18” wide. I’ll be happy to wait til it is finished blooming to cut it back. Thanks for replying.
I enjoy your articles. I looked up your YouTube on separating crinum and share a huge one with several friends. The young separated plants are blooming now. Thanks for that video, too.
In spending time with Google, I realized how preposterous my initial thinking was: That 'your Ruth' and 'my Nana's Ruth' might somehow be linked. But other than both being fabulous and important gardeners, the timing is simply off. 'Nana's Ruth' took her two huge, beautiful collies, and her husband with her when she moved to a grand house on the shore in South Carolina. She too gardened in sand.
I was so sad that "my" Collies were leaving, but of course everybody promised letters and stories, and even photos. I was a kid - - and remembering that, is when I realized the discrepancy in timing. I'm now 74.
I think it was Hurricane Gracie that put an end to the letters. Ruth's husband and dogs were nowhere to be found. Ruth was found tied to a radiator in the back of the house, upstairs, but drowned.
Writing this to you certainly brings a lot back, and now, a lot of tears. Think I'll head outside - - at least I won't need to worry about watering the garden.
Woozie, one of the issues i have with substack is that i don't know who you are other than your screen name. i want to hug you. and tell you that i hope that you are writing all this down somewhere. i wish that i had know your ruth. you may have known mine, ruth knopf, who could make me laugh and giggle like no one, no one, else in the world.
In my recent Google travels to Sullivan's Island, Charleston, and so many other places and projects Rosarians tackle, I know I would have loved your Ruth! Thank you for the hug...
Sam was born for the big screen! Great story, but even more important, passing on the concept to a new generation.
this is a man of the next generation who gives me hope!
Now the way I've heard it, it's called the Chelsea Chop because of the timing. You do it *when* the Chelsea Flower Show is running. It's a mnemonic to help you remember when to do it. Except in my cold climate, it's often too early. I need to wait another couple of weeks. In your climate, I'd think waiting until the Chelsea show would be too late.
Young intern wants to change the name to Samual Samurai Slice!
Ha! Try saying that 3 times fast. Chelsea Chop is easier to say.
I have a platycodon grandiflorus or blue balloon flower that must live in a pot to protect it from wildlife and it probably would benefit from pruning but instead, it’s propped and it blooms from the tips and it is deadheaded and continues to bloom following the snipping of spent blooms until til late summer. At that time I save some of those seed heads to share. This plant is so old but so reliable! It’s probably 25 yrs old, bought at Green Thumb so long ago!
I love the way you weave story telling with gardening Jenks!! Did you ever see “A Bug’s Life”? It’s animated and the story of Aesop’s Fable about the Grasshopper and the ant. It’s one of my favorite movies ever.
No Ill look!
Who's Ruth? Please tell me a story.
the unnamed mentor in this story. i have written and have lots to write about her.
Chelsea Flower Show is at the end of May - summer perennials are not big enough in April and May to cut back in preparation for that date. They have to be treated so as to bring them forward, to get them flowering early.
The 'Chelsea Chop' is just about cutting some garden plants down, partly or wholly, to make them flower later or smaller.
That's the point of the story...is just a name for pruning. I don't know where you garden but in our climate, summer perennials are way big and often in need of a serious hair cut in April and May.
It just is not that. The Chelsea Chop is not that. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/pruning/chelsea-chop
But you could, you know, accurately call it...err.. 'pruning'?
Yes but this is a story about how I learned The phrase. Many years ago. My friend as long dead so she can’t be corrected. And honestly I think it’s a little pretentious to Even use it in the deep south!
You may be right, but your context and climate are not clear in the post.
I wonder just how we are to cope with writing internationally, with no editors, and be accurate enough not to misinform or mislead our readers?
" I’m a professional gardener who went to three Universities and gardens in the Deep South. But I’m a self-taught writer. " That is from my profile so if a reader is curious and willing to read, they know that. Garden readers in the Deep South have dealt with this issue our entire lives as most books and magazines are focused on the North or California (or ridiculously English gardens.) We get lovely pictures of Russian Sage and mentions of Snowdrops (Galanthus) that will not grow here. Even you assumed that perennials are not big enough to chop in May. You asked a huge question, but one I'm tired of dealing with because popular press sends out so much bad info for my climate without ever acknowledging which climate they write for -- assuming we all live in usda zone 6 or zone 7. But I do try to #deepsouth #southcarolinagardens and to be specific in my general descriptions. How do you cope with it?
It's difficult, but I deal with it principally by being clear where I come from. ( https://veddw.com/)
The UK is much more of a piece climate wise - not entirely, but enough. You're part of a whole continent !
Prune my Veronica???? It is so pretty now. I will do it. Alabama.
is it flower? then wait!
post a pic
I don’t know how to post a picture. I tried copy and paste. Yes, it is in full bloom. It is a 3-4 year old plant and maybe 18” wide. I’ll be happy to wait til it is finished blooming to cut it back. Thanks for replying.
I enjoy your articles. I looked up your YouTube on separating crinum and share a huge one with several friends. The young separated plants are blooming now. Thanks for that video, too.
In spending time with Google, I realized how preposterous my initial thinking was: That 'your Ruth' and 'my Nana's Ruth' might somehow be linked. But other than both being fabulous and important gardeners, the timing is simply off. 'Nana's Ruth' took her two huge, beautiful collies, and her husband with her when she moved to a grand house on the shore in South Carolina. She too gardened in sand.
I was so sad that "my" Collies were leaving, but of course everybody promised letters and stories, and even photos. I was a kid - - and remembering that, is when I realized the discrepancy in timing. I'm now 74.
I think it was Hurricane Gracie that put an end to the letters. Ruth's husband and dogs were nowhere to be found. Ruth was found tied to a radiator in the back of the house, upstairs, but drowned.
Writing this to you certainly brings a lot back, and now, a lot of tears. Think I'll head outside - - at least I won't need to worry about watering the garden.
Woozie, one of the issues i have with substack is that i don't know who you are other than your screen name. i want to hug you. and tell you that i hope that you are writing all this down somewhere. i wish that i had know your ruth. you may have known mine, ruth knopf, who could make me laugh and giggle like no one, no one, else in the world.
In my recent Google travels to Sullivan's Island, Charleston, and so many other places and projects Rosarians tackle, I know I would have loved your Ruth! Thank you for the hug...