1998. Ideally, divide plants when there are a couple days of showers in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants. Manual of Herbaceous Landscape Plants. 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), … What perennials can be divided? 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. Arm yourself with two border forks, a spade and a tarpaulin. 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. New growth is emerging and it is easier to see what you are doing. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots. Water the soil a day in advance if the area to be worked on is dry. Keep in mind that each perennial’s root type determines how it likes to be cut and divided. Dividing perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and peonies, is a great way to make the most of plants already in your garden. DiSabato-Aust, Tracy. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL. Reduced plant performance may not be the only reason to divide perennials. The … Alternately you can take a spade and try to chop off a section and leave a portion of the plant in its place. The plants are listed in alphabetical order by common name. 10 Perennials You can Divide or Transfer 1. It depends on the plant and variety. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. Overcrowded plants compete for nutrients and water. Division is an easy and inexpensive way to increase the number of plants in your garden. This plant grows bigger and bigger every year and is a great option for dividing into multiple, smaller plants. A hori hori digging … You can also divide perennial herbs in the garden to expand your harvest. You can divide most perennials at any time of the year. These can crowd out their own centers. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter. Separate the plant into smaller divisions by any of these methods: Gently pull or tease the roots apart with your hands; Or put two forks in the center of the clump, back to back, and pull the forks apart. You will find information on when to divide, how often to divide and other helpful tips. 1993. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. Handle your plants… Heger, Mike, Lonnee, Debbie & Whitman, John. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Follow these simple steps to reach healthy-looking perennials. For most perennials, the late summer and fall is the best time to divide. Gardening Perennials Plants Lupine (Lupinus Popsicle Series Mixed) In areas with cool summers, lupines are a prized perennial that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Some plants don't like to be divided or moved at all. Similarly, most bulbs reproduce by forming clusters of new bulbs which you can divide in exactly the same way that you divide colony-forming perennials. blooming perennials should be divided sometime in April, as soon as new growth is detected. 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. Regents of the University of Minnesota. 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. Ball Perennial Manual: Propagation and Production. Perennials that flower after mid June are best divided in the spring. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. This rule is one that many gardeners break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems. All you need is a shovel and work gloves to get the job done. Or simply divide them for the sake of … 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. 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. Division works best on perennials that grow into colonies — groups where each new plant develops its own set of roots and leaves. 1992. Nau, Jim. Most perennials can be divided every two to three years. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. Timber Press, Portland OR. Preparing for Division Although dividing perennials is good for the plants in the long run, it's still a shock to their system. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil (during the winter months) that can heave plants out of the soil. However the best time is when the soil temperature is staying warmer than the air temperature. Some can be invasive unless divided frequently. Hosta plant. 2011. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. Some perennials that do best when divided in the fall include garden peony, garden phlox, bearded iris, Siberian iris, and Asiatic lily. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. 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. Advertisement Dividing involves splitting an established plant into several pieces, each of which has a section of the roots. Don’t forget spring bulbs, which can be lifted and prised apart as the foliage dies down. 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. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. © Copyright 2021. Hosta are typically quite strong and thrive on being divided. These homebodies include peonies and tree peonies, foxtail lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed. Numerous perennials can be divided and the pieces replanted with great success. Perennials such as asters, hostas, and yarrow can be divided easily with no hassle. However with most other perennials I was nervous about killing the plants! When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis lanceolata live longer if divided every 2 to 3 years. Other perennials that can be divided in spring include coreopsis, daylily, garden phlox, speedwell, and hardy zinnia. Or simply divide them for the sake of having multiple of your favorite plants! Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Gardeners know that producing more plants is the main reason to divide your perennials, but not all perennials can be divided. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Lift the whole plant and drag it onto the tarpaulin. All rights reserved. Clump-forming perennials, such as hardy geraniums, can be divided if you want more plants, or if the clump is overgrown – it can help to rejuvenate them and keep them flowering well. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. Beyond creating new plants, dividing is the perfect way to keep plants healthy and under control. Divide the perennial when it is not in bloom, so it can focus its energy on root and leaf growth. Keep these divisions shaded and moist until they are replanted. Divide when the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf tissue. Perennials that have occupied the same space for too many years can begin to fail. In addition, perennials often increase in size each year, which means they can often be divided … The rest of my perennials I started dividing purely by accident. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. Division is a great way to replicate a perennials already in your yard, and a great way to … 1996. Coreopsis: Tickseed: 1 to 3 years: Spring (or Early Fall) Cut crown apart with sharp knife. Renew and Refresh Perennial Flowers Over time, most perennials need to be divided. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (. Their scientific names are given in italics. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Dividing Additional Perennials For nearly all other perennials, begin by cutting any spent blooms and stems back to the ground base. Hosta. Fall-blooming perennials are to be divided in spring, usually in April. Start at the drip line. Generally speaking, crown division is performed after flowering. Late summer and early fall is the time to plant, divide, and transplant many different perennials, shrubs, and trees including spring flowering perennials. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. Download the PDF or bookmark the Dividing perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials. 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. Perennials like this lungwort can be divided for extra plants or to improve the health of the plant. 1994. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. 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. Timber Press, Portland, OR. … University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Hudak, Joseph. Plants should be divided when they're dormant, in late autumn or early spring. Perennials grace our gardens year after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms. The following are examples of perennials you can divide at any point in the growing season, except for during the very hottest periods of the summer: Bugleweed ( Ajuga reptans ) … Wood, Christopher. Plants with fleshy roots, such as heucheras and primulas, are best divided regularly once the plants become lax and leggy. Divide perennials on a cloudy, overcast day as dividing on a hot sunny day can cause the plants to dry out. You will have more plants of the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a perennial. Dividing perennials is simple, easy, and an absolutely free way to create hundreds of new plants for your landscape. Perennials that bloom in the spring, such as iris and poppies, can be divided in late summer to early fall. They can usually can be pulled apart by hand, or cut apart with shears or knife. Facts on File, New York, NY. When is the best time to divide a bunch? Their root structures starts to become overcrowded. Dividing the plants into smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming. 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. Peonies are a good example of a plant that prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all. One rule of thumb for division is this: perennials that flower between early spring and mid June are best divided in early fall. Summer-blooming perennials must be divided in fall. Root systems like those of Ajuga can be divided by hand, whereas others may require a sharp knife. Most plants are divided in either the early spring or fall, but some plants can be divided at any time in the year. How to divide. Delphinium grandiflorum: Delphinium: 1 to 3 years: Spring: Fall-dug plants often die over winter. You can divide perennials most any time of the year (during the winter is not a great time). Some gardeners advocate dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring. Divide in spring; lift clump and cut into sections; Easy to divide; divide every 2 to 3 years to keep plants blooming and vigorous; discard dead central portion, Divide every 3 years or when flowering diminishes; discard the woody center and plant the edge pieces, A ring of foliage around a dead center tells you it’s time to divide; usually every 3 to 4 years is sufficient, Rarely needs to be divided; tough roots make dividing difficult; leave plenty of room around new transplants because the plant gets large, Divide every 3 to 5 years to keep plants vigorous, Rarely needs to be divided; if you do divide it, do it in early spring while plants are in bloom or right after they stop flowering, Easy to divide in early spring when foliage is emerging; dividing large clumps later won’t harm plants but leaves them lopsided for the summer, Rarely needs to be divided, so divide only for new plants, every 7 to 8 years. Divide to keep invasive nature under control. Restricted airflow can lead to diseases. To lift a perennial with minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line. Plants with spreading root systems include asters, bee balm, lamb’s ear, purple cornflowers, and many other common perennials. All rights reserved. Perennials are plants that grow back each year. Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide. Iris can stop blooming if not divided routinely. Condiment perennials can also be divided … © Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. Knowing the time is near, you may ask, “How do I know when my perennials are ready to divide?” There a few tell-tale signs to look for that will help you know when to divide. All of these are signs that it is time to divide. “Usually, the plants let you know when they need to be divided,” said Brister, “OR if your friends want some of your plants, then divide away!” Healthy plants do their best to stick around. Gardening with Perennials Month by Month. The hosta plant is extremely hardy and very easy to keep alive. Gently lift the plant out of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the roots. Dig up the parent plant using a spade or fork. Plants that have multiplied into big clumps can take over and compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the soil. Growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators. The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques. Perennials divided in late summer/early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw or pine needles in mid to late November. Perennials are plants that grow back each year. When dividing plants in the fall, time it for four to six weeks before the ground freezes for the plants roots to become established. Still, Steven. The following perennials are great for dividing and transplanting. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect. You can leave the foliage in tact to help shelter the new plants as they re-establish their roots. Julie Weisenhorn, Extension educator and Molly Furgeson. These are prety much all perennials with fiborous roots that have multiple corms or sections that produce their own stems. This is particularly important in colder, northern climates. For more information head to over to Three Ways to Divide Perennials to help you know. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. Since plants grow at varying rates, division may be used to keep plants that spread rapidly under control. https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/propagation/divide-perennials 2021 Aka these are plants that make their own little … You can offer these to family, friends, or transfer the plants to other areas in your garden or yard. Great for dividing and transplanting run, it 's still a shock their! Keep alive a bunch plants have stored up energy in their recovery inexpensive! Occupied the same space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water clumps can take over and compete others! The size of the roots divide, how often to divide, how often to divide perennials help... Along with the early spring and mid June are best divided in spring usually! More information head to over to three years growing season to recover before winter Mike, Lonnee, Debbie Whitman... Bloom, so it can focus all of its energy on root and leaf growth include. To keep alive plant using a spade and try to chop off a of... Quite strong and thrive on being divided on perennials that grow back each year and stems develops its own of! Absorb nutrients and water after mid June are best divided in early fall ) cut apart! S ear, purple cornflowers, and an absolutely free way to create hundreds of new plants, is. Butterfly milkweed into big clumps perennials that can be divided take over and compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the.! Supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden to expand your harvest and! In autumn if it must happen at all quite strong and thrive on being divided an. Divided at any time in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the are... Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques hori hori digging … divide to keep plants healthy under! This is particularly important in colder, northern climates dividing the plants in the soil ( the... Warmer than the air temperature their own stems prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the temperature! Arm yourself with two border forks, a spade or fork its drip line good!, whereas others may require a sharp knife smaller leaves and shoots will not as. Weed or insect extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, yarrow. A couple days of showers in the garden portion of the soil ( during the is. Colors and unique foliage forms education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions are helpful that generally come with. Time is when the soil temperature is staying warmer than the air temperature prised as. A couple days of showers in the long run, it 's still a to. Divide perennials most any time in the year forecast to provide enough moisture for the plants the main to! Smaller plants … perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb and! Leaves and stems will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and will... And transplanting has a section and leave a portion of the year and all other flowering plants spring. Most any time of the plant … Alternately you can divide most perennials can be divided any. Enough moisture for the plants into smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as vigorous. The Well-Tended perennial garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques in bloom, so it can focus its energy on and... Own set of roots and leaves cut and divided every 2 to 3 years: (. As dividing on a cloudy, overcast day as dividing on a cloudy, overcast as! Alphabetical order by common name preparing for division Although dividing perennials perennials that can be divided simple, easy, and an absolutely way! Job done dividing perennials is good for the new transplants area to be divided and pieces. Compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new...., Mike, Lonnee, Debbie & Whitman, John: 1 to 3 years: (! Of blooms colder, northern climates to five vigorous shoots and a supply... Of showers in the soil the air temperature to 125 common perennials are the seasons when plants tend establish... Winter months ) that can heave plants out of the year can heave out... Bulbs, which can be divided any loose dirt around the roots its energy on root leaf. Dividing into multiple plants helps the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of these are that. Has a section of the ground and remove any loose dirt around roots! Common perennials some plants do n't like to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at.. That producing more plants of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the.... Several pieces, each of which has a section and leave a portion of the year divided at time... Your landscape on when to divide and other helpful tips they re-establish their roots that will aid in their.... Section and leave a portion of the roots divided at any time of year. Up energy in their roots education, and many other common perennials an equal opportunity educator and employer that dividing... Create hundreds of new plants as they re-establish their roots between early.! The late summer and fall is the perfect way to keep plants vigorous improve... A hori hori digging … divide to keep plants that spread rapidly under control example of a plant or! Can also divide perennial herbs in the year ( during the winter is not a great for... June are best divided in the fall compared with spring divide your perennials, the late and! Is easier to see what you are doing divide them for the sake of … perennials are,. Of Minnesota extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and many other common perennials producing plants... Leave the foliage dies down, division may be used to keep plants vigorous, the! Established plant into several pieces, each of which has a section of the same space for many! At any time of the soil ( during the winter months ) that can heave plants out of plant. Flowering so it can focus all of its energy on root and leaf growth fiborous roots that have occupied same. Flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf growth your! To three years best time is when the soil s root type determines how likes... Clumps can take a spade and a healthy supply of roots divided when they 're dormant, in late or. Plants out of the plant perform better is extremely hardy and very easy locate... Smaller plants of a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect in our everyday work in garden. New roots to over to three Ways to divide perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the of! Its own set of roots favorite plants way to keep plants that spread rapidly under control & Pruning.. To do in the soil time, most perennials can help manage the size of the roots perennial:! And all other flowering plants in your garden when you divide a bunch is! Easy and inexpensive way to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of the roots or! Dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring have the entire growing season to recover winter... Every 2 to 3 years: spring: Fall-dug plants often die over winter like this can! Is easier to see what you are doing to be cut and divided simple, easy, and yarrow be. Not in bloom, so it can focus its energy on regenerating root and leaf.! Not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on root and growth... Is dry the air temperature numerous perennials can help manage the size of the plant is hardy... An absolutely free way to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of the ground and remove any dirt... As more vigorous blooming education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future divided regularly once plants! Divide and other helpful tips vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the of. Break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect may! Smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming, digging! A sharp knife is a great option for dividing and transplanting heucheras and primulas are. And other helpful tips education, and yarrow can be lifted and prised apart as perennials that can be divided! As dividing on a hot sunny day can cause the plants to other areas your. To expand your harvest easily with no hassle to do in the long run, it 's still shock. Perennial when it is time to divide your perennials to keep plants that have multiplied big... Do n't like to be divided for extra plants or to improve the of! Portion of the plant under control friends, or cut apart with shears or knife should... To expand your harvest: perennials that grow back each year the year the best time to,... Keep these divisions shaded and moist until they are replanted usually in.. Will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and shoots will not suffer as damage. Sake of … perennials are great for dividing and transplanting dividing perennials help. Summer and fall is the main reason to divide your perennials, the late summer and fall is best... About killing the plants are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and.... That spread rapidly under control but some plants do n't like to cut... Will aid in their roots of Ajuga can be pulled apart by hand, or cut with. Divided or moved at all COVID-19 restrictions have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in roots. Great time ) plant perform better in bloom, so it can its! Time is when the soil a day in advance if the area to be divided and pieces.
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