“If you cut these perennials back close to the ground and give them a feed, many will respond with fresh green growth and, in some cases, another round of flowering,” The Sunday Gardener said.
Start by removing the spent foliage and stems down to a few inches above the soil, applying a balanced fertiliser or organic compost, watering well, and then waiting.
Within a couple of weeks, gardeners can expect to see a neat mound of new leaves, and possibly some bonus blooms.
While the process may initially leave beds looking bare, the long-term rewards are well worth the temporary emptiness. For those concerned about aesthetics, a clever tip is to time the cutback with a summer holiday.
“If you do it just before you go away, you’ll return to a refreshed, revitalised garden,” suggests the guide.
Alchemilla mollis, or Lady’s Mantle, in particular, may seem too lush to drastically trim, but experts reassure that it responds beautifully to this tough love. What appears to be a drastic haircut now results in a vibrant mound of fresh foliage just weeks later.
This “Chelsea Chop”–style method is a valuable trick in the gardener’s July toolkit, offering a second act for plants that might otherwise have bowed out for the season.
To make the most of this mid-summer gardening trick, start by cutting back early-flowering perennials such as Oriental poppies, Alchemilla mollis, hardy Geraniums, and Nepeta in early to mid-July.
Use sharp shears to trim the plants down to just above ground level, then follow up with a generous feed and thorough watering.
Though the border may look bare at first, don’t be discouraged, within two to three weeks, fresh green growth will appear, and in many cases, a second wave of blooms will follow.
With a little patience and care, your garden can enjoy a revitalised look well into the season.
