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