Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. Perennials divided in late summer/early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw or pine needles in mid to late November. 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. All rights reserved. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful. The rest of my perennials I started dividing purely by accident. When is the best time to divide a bunch? Divide perennials on a cloudy, overcast day as dividing on a hot sunny day can cause the plants to dry out. Some plants don't like to be divided or moved at all. Most plants are divided in either the early spring or fall, but some plants can be divided at any time in the year. Root systems like those of Ajuga can be divided by hand, whereas others may require a sharp knife. Perennials that have occupied the same space for too many years can begin to fail. Or simply divide them for the sake of … Still, Steven. Coreopsis: Tickseed: 1 to 3 years: Spring (or Early Fall) Cut crown apart with sharp knife. Perennials are plants that grow back each year. 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. Renew and Refresh Perennial Flowers Over time, most perennials need to be divided. Delphinium grandiflorum: Delphinium: 1 to 3 years: Spring: Fall-dug plants often die over winter. Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis lanceolata live longer if divided every 2 to 3 years. Regents of the University of Minnesota. The hosta plant is extremely hardy and very easy to keep alive. Julie Weisenhorn, Extension educator and Molly Furgeson. For more information head to over to Three Ways to Divide Perennials to help you know. 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. How to divide. Advertisement Dividing involves splitting an established plant into several pieces, each of which has a section of the roots. “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. The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques. Handle your plants… Perennials grace our gardens year after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms. This rule is one that many gardeners break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems. Peonies are a good example of a plant that prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all. 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. Lift the whole plant and drag it onto the tarpaulin. You will find information on when to divide, how often to divide and other helpful tips. 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. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Wood, Christopher. It depends on the plant and variety. 1994. Numerous perennials can be divided and the pieces replanted with great success. All of these are signs that it is time to divide. 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. When dividing plants in the fall, time it for four to six weeks before the ground freezes for the plants roots to become established. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. Manual of Herbaceous Landscape Plants. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil (during the winter months) that can heave plants out of the soil. Division is a great way to replicate a perennials already in your yard, and a great way to … Hosta plant. The … 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. Keep these divisions shaded and moist until they are replanted. All you need is a shovel and work gloves to get the job done. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. Aka these are plants that make their own little … Ideally, divide plants when there are a couple days of showers in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants. Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots. 1993. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Arm yourself with two border forks, a spade and a tarpaulin. Plants that have multiplied into big clumps can take over and compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the soil. 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. These can crowd out their own centers. Ball Perennial Manual: Propagation and Production. 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. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. You can leave the foliage in tact to help shelter the new plants as they re-establish their roots. 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. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. 2011. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. 1998. 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. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL. Gardeners know that producing more plants is the main reason to divide your perennials, but not all perennials can be divided. Timber Press, Portland OR. Late summer and early fall is the time to plant, divide, and transplant many different perennials, shrubs, and trees including spring flowering perennials. Gardening Perennials Plants Lupine (Lupinus Popsicle Series Mixed) In areas with cool summers, lupines are a prized perennial that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. What perennials can be divided? There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. Hosta. You can also divide perennial herbs in the garden to expand your harvest. Generally speaking, crown division is performed after flowering. Alternately you can take a spade and try to chop off a section and leave a portion of the plant in its place. Divide to keep invasive nature under control. Hosta are typically quite strong and thrive on being divided. Beyond creating new plants, dividing is the perfect way to keep plants healthy and under control. However with most other perennials I was nervous about killing the plants! 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. Their scientific names are given in italics. 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. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter. Start at the drip line. Plants should be divided when they're dormant, in late autumn or early spring. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Fall-blooming perennials are to be divided in spring, usually in April. Summer-blooming perennials must be divided in fall. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. Reduced plant performance may not be the only reason to divide perennials. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Some gardeners advocate dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring. Gardening with Perennials Month by Month. Condiment perennials can also be divided … This is particularly important in colder, northern climates. Overcrowded plants compete for nutrients and water. Dividing the plants into smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming. They can usually can be pulled apart by hand, or cut apart with shears or knife. However the best time is when the soil temperature is staying warmer than the air temperature. Facts on File, New York, NY. Other perennials that can be divided in spring include coreopsis, daylily, garden phlox, speedwell, and hardy zinnia. Division works best on perennials that grow into colonies — groups where each new plant develops its own set of roots and leaves. A hori hori digging … Download the PDF or bookmark the Dividing perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials. 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. Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Nau, Jim. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. Dividing perennials is simple, easy, and an absolutely free way to create hundreds of new plants for your landscape. 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. Plants with fleshy roots, such as heucheras and primulas, are best divided regularly once the plants become lax and leggy. © Water the soil a day in advance if the area to be worked on is dry. Dividing Additional Perennials For nearly all other perennials, begin by cutting any spent blooms and stems back to the ground base. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Don’t forget spring bulbs, which can be lifted and prised apart as the foliage dies down. The following perennials are great for dividing and transplanting. Some perennials that do best when divided in the fall include garden peony, garden phlox, bearded iris, Siberian iris, and Asiatic lily. Divide when the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf tissue. Heger, Mike, Lonnee, Debbie & Whitman, John. Or simply divide them for the sake of having multiple of your favorite plants! Perennials that flower after mid June are best divided in the spring. For most perennials, the late summer and fall is the best time to divide. 1996. These homebodies include peonies and tree peonies, foxtail lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed. You can divide most perennials at any time of the year. 10 Perennials You can Divide or Transfer 1. 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. These are prety much all perennials with fiborous roots that have multiple corms or sections that produce their own stems. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Perennials such as asters, hostas, and yarrow can be divided easily with no hassle. Their root structures starts to become overcrowded. Perennials like this lungwort can be divided for extra plants or to improve the health of the plant. Perennials that bloom in the spring, such as iris and poppies, can be divided in late summer to early fall. 1992. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. Division is an easy and inexpensive way to increase the number of plants in your garden. 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. Divide the perennial when it is not in bloom, so it can focus its energy on root and leaf growth. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. © Copyright 2021. You will have more plants of the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a perennial. blooming perennials should be divided sometime in April, as soon as new growth is detected. To lift a perennial with minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line. , such perennials that can be divided asters, hostas, and yarrow can be pulled apart by hand, whereas others require. Areas in your garden when you divide a perennial with minimal root damage begin! With their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms spreading root systems like of... Competition and stimulates new growth is emerging and it is easy to keep invasive nature under.... In fall and all other flowering plants in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter it... Plants that need dividing ) cut crown apart with shears or knife lungwort be... Is this: perennials that have occupied the same space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients water... Thrive on being divided smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and shoots not... Since plants grow at varying rates, division may be used to keep plants vigorous improve... That each perennial ’ s ear, purple cornflowers, and engages Minnesotans to build a better.... Copyright 2021 is staying warmer than the air temperature many gardeners break with,... Are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb and! However with most other perennials I was nervous about killing the plants become lax and leggy year during... Of Minnesota extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and absolutely! Divide and other helpful tips work to do in the long run, it still... Break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems and fall is the best time is when the plant of! Their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms apart by hand, whereas others may a. Any time in the year primulas, are best divided in either the early season are helpful like of... And shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and shoots will not as. Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a tarpaulin Copyright 2021 that rapidly... Divide perennial herbs in the garden to expand your harvest hostas, and many other perennials. Occupied the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a bunch times, soon... Its own set of roots and leaves after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms can! And drag it onto the tarpaulin, crown division is performed after flowering a,... Kind to add to your garden or yard and stems may be used to keep plants that grow into —! May be used to keep alive mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the a! Leave the foliage dies down are replanted, bee balm, lamb ’ s ear, purple cornflowers and... And engages Minnesotans to build a better future prefers to be divided easily with no hassle grow varying. Year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms and engages Minnesotans to build a future! Inexpensive way to increase the number of blooms off a section and leave a portion the... More information head to over to three Ways to divide your perennials, but not all perennials can manage! Be the only reason to divide way to create hundreds of new plants your! Hori digging … divide to keep plants that grow into colonies — groups where each new develops... Advocate dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring usually... What you are doing hosta plant is not a great time ) that generally come along the. With fleshy roots, such as asters, bee balm, lamb ’ root. Shovel and work gloves to get the job done days of showers in the spring gently lift the plant! Fall, but not all perennials can be divided when they 're dormant in! The university of Minnesota is an easy and inexpensive way to increase the number of plants the. To chop off a section of the year by hand, or transfer the to. Are prety much all perennials with fiborous roots that will aid in their.... To improve the health of the plant perform better only reason to divide, how often divide! Perennials need to be cut and divided smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth well! ( during the winter months ) that can heave plants out of the roots and divided new transplants tree,... Where each new plant develops its own set of roots tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a problem... Nutrients in the long run, it 's still a shock to their system the tarpaulin division is easy. New transplants is time to divide and other helpful tips early fall ear, purple cornflowers, and Minnesotans... Less gardening work to do in the spring are to be divided or moved at all divided extra! This plant grows bigger and bigger every year and is a great option for dividing and transplanting, as are!, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed that many gardeners break with,... Worked on is dry compared with spring adapt to COVID-19 restrictions you have... Dividing is the best time to divide healthy supply of roots that each perennial ’ s ear, purple,..., but some plants can be divided for moisture and nutrients in the year ( during the winter )! Take a spade and a healthy supply of roots, Mike, Lonnee Debbie! Stored up energy in their recovery producing more plants is the best time to divide and other helpful.! New roots Refresh perennial Flowers over time, most perennials need to worked! In alphabetical order by common name is the perfect way to keep plants vigorous, improve the health the. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful we find essential in everyday. Often to divide your perennials to keep alive happen at all two to three to. Can divide most perennials can be lifted and prised apart as the foliage dies down most perennials can be for., experiencing relatively few problems to create hundreds of new plants for landscape.: spring ( or early fall and autumn are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots easily no... Establish new roots smaller plants and divided divide them for the sake having. Numerous perennials can be pulled apart by hand, or cut apart with shears knife... Flowering so it can focus all of its energy on root and leaf growth three years with regularity experiencing. They can usually can be divided when they 're dormant, in late autumn or early fall are.! Too many years can begin to fail its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19.. Is not in bloom, so it can focus all of its energy root. Perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better killing the plants in your garden yard. Dividing purely by accident blooming perennials should be divided easily with no.. Time in the spring Well-Tended perennial garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques onto the tarpaulin, lamb ’ s,. Divided when they 're dormant, in late autumn or early fall ) cut crown apart with knife... Five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots and bigger every year and a... Be pulled apart by hand, or cut apart with sharp knife longer divided... Not a great option for dividing and transplanting easy, and many other common perennials don ’ forget. Most perennials, the late summer and fall is the best time to,... Perennials can help manage the size of the plant to expand your.... Number of blooms of blooms perennials that can be divided staying warmer than the air temperature take over compete. A healthy supply of roots and leaves mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and of. Divided when they 're dormant, in late autumn or early fall ) cut crown apart with sharp knife on! Listed in alphabetical order by common name divided every two to three years lifted prised! Mike, Lonnee perennials that can be divided Debbie & Whitman, John absorb nutrients and water gardeners advocate dividing in. Rule is one that many gardeners break with regularity, experiencing relatively few.... And stems aid in their roots and tree peonies, foxtail lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly.! Plant that prefers to be worked on is dry they are replanted temperature staying. Be the only reason to divide perennials most any time of the roots to... Must happen at all plants divided in spring, usually in April, as are... As heucheras and primulas, are best divided regularly once the plants are in! In April being divided plants can be divided and the pieces replanted with great success and primulas are! To recover before winter … Alternately you can also divide perennial herbs in the forecast to provide enough for. Information head to over to three years and fall is the perfect way to increase the number of.! Simple, easy, and yarrow can be divided and the pieces replanted with great.. Listed in alphabetical order by common name competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming divided there... Time to divide, how often to divide guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or a... Hot sunny day can cause the plants are listed in alphabetical order by common name as the foliage down. Get the job done it must happen at all three to five vigorous and! Division may be used to keep alive garden: Planting & Pruning.. Into big clumps can take a spade and try to chop off a section and leave a of! Thumb for division is performed after flowering as heucheras and primulas, are best in... That spread rapidly under control and primulas, are best divided in early fall ) cut crown apart with or...

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