This plant grows bigger and bigger every year and is a great option for dividing into multiple, smaller plants. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. Arm yourself with two border forks, a spade and a tarpaulin. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. After a few years in the garden, these perennials may start to produce smaller blooms, develop a 'bald spot' at the center of their crown, or require staking to prevent their stems from falling over. Plants with fleshy roots, such as heucheras and primulas, are best divided regularly once the plants become lax and leggy. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil (during the winter months) that can heave plants out of the soil. Some perennials that do best when divided in the fall include garden peony, garden phlox, bearded iris, Siberian iris, and Asiatic lily. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. What perennials can be divided? Late summer and early fall is the time to plant, divide, and transplant many different perennials, shrubs, and trees including spring flowering perennials. Facts on File, New York, NY. Plants should be divided when they're dormant, in late autumn or early spring. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Preparing for Division Although dividing perennials is good for the plants in the long run, it's still a shock to their system. This is particularly important in colder, northern climates. Generally speaking, crown division is performed after flowering. Julie Weisenhorn, Extension educator and Molly Furgeson. Divide in early spring for easy handling; for fall division, cut back flowers; Divide in spring or fall; easiest in early spring as leaves begin to emerge; doesn’t need frequent division, This hardy plant roots along the stem; cut a piece off the edge and replant; cut leaves back by half; don’t overwater, Rhizomes pull apart easily; make sure each new division has a leaf and a cluster of roots, Big leaves wilt easily; cut each leaf back by half and keep summer transplants well watered, Divide in midsummer; foliage goes dormant quickly after flowering so mark the plant’s location; keep new transplants watered, New plants will take a few years to flower; set new plants at same depth as they were previously or they won’t bloom; keep watered; does not need to be divided often, Very difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants, Divide every 5 or 6 years or when plant dies out in the center, Easiest to divide in spring when foliage is still small; dividing clumps later won’t harm plant but may reduce bloom for the year, Easiest to divide in spring when foliage is still small; dividing clumps later won’t harm plant but will reduce bloom and leave plants lopsided for the year, Easy to slice into pieces; make sure to get plenty of roots with each new section, Divide every 4 years or as needed; if you divide in fall, wait until the plant is done flowering, Easy to divide; most types spread quickly so divide every 2 to 3 years. Lift the whole plant and drag it onto the tarpaulin. You can also divide perennial herbs in the garden to expand your harvest. Wood, Christopher. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. All rights reserved. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. Hosta. Plants that have multiplied into big clumps can take over and compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the soil. Perennials divided in late summer/early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw or pine needles in mid to late November. For more information head to over to Three Ways to Divide Perennials to help you know. The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques. 1992. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. © Copyright 2021. 1998. When is the best time to divide a bunch? Some plants don't like to be divided or moved at all. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. It depends on the plant and variety. Or simply divide them for the sake of … When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Don’t forget spring bulbs, which can be lifted and prised apart as the foliage dies down. Perennials that flower after mid June are best divided in the spring. This rule is one that many gardeners break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems. 2021 You can divide most perennials at any time of the year. Advertisement Dividing involves splitting an established plant into several pieces, each of which has a section of the roots. Some can be invasive unless divided frequently. Gently lift the plant out of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the roots. You will have more plants of the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a perennial. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Root systems like those of Ajuga can be divided by hand, whereas others may require a sharp knife. The following perennials are great for dividing and transplanting. However the best time is when the soil temperature is staying warmer than the air temperature. You can divide perennials most any time of the year (during the winter is not a great time). Perennial flowers work in multiple situations: in whole garden beds, in combination with annuals and bulbs, as accent to shrubs and trees, and in containers and windowboxes. Follow these simple steps to reach healthy-looking perennials. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. Dig up the parent plant using a spade or fork. The difference is that some perennials, such as peonies, can go more than a decade without being divided, while others, such as chrysanthemums or ornamental grasses, like to be dug and separated every couple of years. Timber Press, Portland OR. These can crowd out their own centers. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter. Nau, Jim. Manual of Herbaceous Landscape Plants. Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide. Ideally, divide plants when there are a couple days of showers in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants. Coreopsis: Tickseed: 1 to 3 years: Spring (or Early Fall) Cut crown apart with sharp knife. These are just a few examples of plants that can be divided: Agapanthus, Anemone, Aster, Bergenia (elephant’s ears), Convallaria (lily-of-the-valley) Crocosmia, Dierama, Delphinium, Epimedium, Eryngium (sea holly), Euphorbia, Gentiana (gentian) Geranium, Helianthus, Hemerocallis (daylily), Hosta, Iris, Lychnis, Lysichiton, Lysimachia, ornamental grasses, Primula (primrose) Ranunculus (buttercup), … Perennials are plants that grow back each year. Aka these are plants that make their own little … A hori hori digging … Start at the drip line. Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots. Peonies are a good example of a plant that prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all. Dividing perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and peonies, is a great way to make the most of plants already in your garden. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Perennials such as asters, hostas, and yarrow can be divided easily with no hassle. Restricted airflow can lead to diseases. Beyond creating new plants, dividing is the perfect way to keep plants healthy and under control. Reduced plant performance may not be the only reason to divide perennials. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful. 2011. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. © Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL. Keep in mind that each perennial’s root type determines how it likes to be cut and divided. Gardening with Perennials Month by Month. In addition, perennials often increase in size each year, which means they can often be divided … Since plants grow at varying rates, division may be used to keep plants that spread rapidly under control. However, just as different plants can go different lengths of time before being divided, some plants, such as peonies, do better when divided in the early fall. 1994. Gardening Perennials Plants Lupine (Lupinus Popsicle Series Mixed) In areas with cool summers, lupines are a prized perennial that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. blooming perennials should be divided sometime in April, as soon as new growth is detected. You can leave the foliage in tact to help shelter the new plants as they re-establish their roots. Or simply divide them for the sake of having multiple of your favorite plants! Perennials grace our gardens year after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/divide/how-to-divide-45-favorite-perennials/, How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings, Divide in early spring or after it stops blooming in late summer to early fall; will bloom better with division every 2 to 3 years, Easy to divide; needs to be divided every 1 to 2 years to keep plants vigorous, Divide in summer when flowering is over, at least 6 weeks before frost so plants have time to get established, Spreads quickly; easy to divide; for ease of handling, divide in spring as foliage is emerging, Easy to divide; divide every 3 to 4 years; for best appearance next season, don’t make divisions too small, Easy to divide; roots usually pull apart easily by hand; divide every 3 to 4 years, Divide as foliage goes dormant in the heat or mark plant location; roots are brittle, handle carefully, Divide in late spring to early summer, after blooming; will reseed but divide to keep specific cultivars true. All of these are signs that it is time to divide. Hosta are typically quite strong and thrive on being divided. The plants are listed in alphabetical order by common name. You will find information on when to divide, how often to divide and other helpful tips. Overcrowded plants compete for nutrients and water. These homebodies include peonies and tree peonies, foxtail lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed. Divide to keep invasive nature under control. Plants with separate rosettes and fibrous roots, such as primroses, can be dug up and divided as their flowers start to fade, while hostas and other perennials with impenetrable root balls can be cut up with a sharp knife or spade. Numerous perennials can be divided and the pieces replanted with great success. Hosta plant. This allows for a lot of root growth in the ground to get the division good and established before they set on a lot of top growth. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. Because every perennial has a preferred way to be divided, use this handy chart to help you know what time of year to divide, how to divide it and a handful of other helpful tips to ensure your success. 10 Perennials You can Divide or Transfer 1. 1993. For most perennials, the late summer and fall is the best time to divide. Condiment perennials can also be divided … Dividing perennials is simple, easy, and an absolutely free way to create hundreds of new plants for your landscape. Divide when the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf tissue. The general rule is that spring and summer flowering plants need to be divided in the fall, and everything else should be divided in the spring. Their root structures starts to become overcrowded. Plants root as they spread; no need to dig whole plant; Difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants, Doesn’t need division often; cut back whole plant by half so roots have less foliage to support, Divide every few years to keep this short-lived perennial around; reseeds but seedlings may not look like parent plants, Easy to divide; divide every 4 to 5 years for healthier plants; reseeds and seedlings are easy to transplant, Don’t worry about getting roots with each piece, they’ll sprout from the stem; cut individual leaves back by half to conserve moisture, Division every 3 to 4 years helps this short-lived perennial stay around longer; cut plant back by half, Divide every 5 to 7 years; rebloomers are best lifted in spring before they flower, Blooms best if divided down into small sections; division every 2 to 3 years will prolong plants’ life, Mat-forming types root as they grow; cut a rooted piece from the edge and replant, Easy to dig and split; likes moist to wet soils, so keep new plants well watered, Doesn’t like to have main clump disturbed; sends out underground runners so dig small new plants around the edges to transplant, Difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants; slow to recover from being moved.