Sedum Quandry

[Mr Grinch]

Hi all,

I have three Sedums that need dividing but this year ive seriously fallen out of love with them. They grew fine, but then flopped looking very untidy so im thinking of binning them for next season.
If i do decide to keep a couple, when the best time to divide these chaps ??

Regards
James

[Ruthie]

Best to divide them in the spring. Apparantly, if your soil is too rich or they are too shaded they are liable to flop. The RHS recommends cutting them back around May time (I think that's the time anyway). This means later but sturdier flower stems and it seems to work. I haven't tried it myself as my soil is poor and light and they don't flop for me.

[Tig]

I cut mine back last year (2007) after it was suggested on GW by Monty I think

They did grow bushier and not as leggy .. this year I forgot

But somehow they didn't get so floppy - perhaps the weather?

Not only recommended for sedums, but some other perennials as well - found this link for you Mr G ...

www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/pruning_pruningflowers2.shtml

Good to see you back btw - where you been?

x Tig

[Mr Grinch]

Hi Tig,

Thanks for the advice. I may decide to keep a couple now . I do have rich clay soil so that maybe the reason. I'll chop em back next spring after im divided them.

Ive been about Tig. During the summer, sometimes i get frustrated with my garden when things do not work, dying, floping etc.. . So by about July i need a break from it all.
Trouble is, once winter comes and im stuck in doors, my mind wanders to the garden with new ideas and new plants. The bug hits me again.
Its the same EVERY year !!!!

Regards
James

[jean]

Sedums are easy to take cuttings from too They just need a leaf and a bit of stem pushed into gritty compost, they take a while to get going so don't give up on them.

[Amo]

They are one of the biggest contenders for the Chelsea Chop, done during the Chelsea week at the end of May. It takes a bit of guts to do but worth it.

I did the central crown of mine and left the outer ring. I then put a few twiggy sticks around the crown for those as they would inevitably flop! Result is a sturdier and slightly later flowering centre with a supported outer. I may do the whole crown next year but I think my halfway house worked rather well too. Certainly prolonged the flowering anyway!

[Dutchy]

Next time the Chelsea show is on tele I might finally remember to give them the chop.
I badly needed some reminder and this seems a good one, thanks Amo.
I keep forgetting and they do flop on my fat clay soil.