The 'Chelsea chop' - suitable for an astrantia?

[SarfE4sticated]

Hi there,
hope you can help. I have long heard people talking about the 'Chelsea chop' where you chop flowering annuals down to the ground at this time of year, and they spring back up again with renewed vigour.

Before I set about my borders with the secateurs, can you just confirm whhich plants it works with? I have an astrantia which looks amazing, and would love to get a second flush out of it (and possibly even divide it too) what do you think?
thanks

I believe the advice is to do this in late July for astrantia.

"Plants suitable to cut back to get a second flush of flowers: ...Perennials suitable for chopping in July to encourage a second flush of flowers. In these cases cut after flowering, and feed. A second flush is not always successful, and the flowering will not be as strong. In each case just cut of the flower head stalk which has flowered to encourage side shoots.This is suitable for Hollyhock, Astrantia, Delphinium, Digitalis, Campanula, and Penstemon."

www.sundaygardener.co.uk/chelsea-chop.html

I currently back my heleniums by about a third in June ( when the Chelsea flower show is on) . Apparently it makes the flowering season longer as the ones cut back flower later. I have done it for the last 3 years and they do bloom well and for a long time . I only cut them to the ground later though in autumn when all the flowers are done

Not sure about Astrantias. I cut my perennial geraniums to the ground when they finish flowering ( usually in July) and get more leaves sometimes a second smaller flush of flowers

I think the dividing is usually done in autumn ( though apparently it is better in spring for heleniums)

Not sure about dividing in summer. Hopefully Aabetter Gardener than me will be along