Reclaim Your Space: Perennial Dividing

There is a motto about perennials: the first year they sleep (put on roots), the second year they creep (some new growth) and the third year the leap. By “leap” means lots of new growth and flowers. 

 

To this motto I’m adding: and fourth and fifth year, they are crowded. I know this doesn’t rhyme, but there isn’t a more appropriate word than “crowded”. Here in the Pacific Northwest, perennials grow very well. In your garden, your one time favorite can steal the show of other upcoming favorites. 

 

Instead of giving up hope, or losing your love for this space hog, by the 4^th or 5^th year of being in the ground, they are ready to be divided. (This is not to be confused with, “I changed my mind and really want this plant somewhere else”, which is another article.)

 

Dividing your perennials not only reclaims room in your beds for additions to your plant family; you also have the opportunity to make more of your favorite plants by just cutting them up! This project can actually be lots of fun. Make an annual event out of it by inviting your friends & neighbors over for a Division Party and Potluck and share some of your divisions.

 

Dividing perennials is basically very easy. The two best times during the year, and often easiest times, are early spring or late fall. My preference has always been the fall.   You can see exactly where those perennials are by their dormant foliage, instead of digging around their new growth and potentially doing damage in spring.

 

Step 1 – Trim back the foliage to see the perennial crown (growing point)

 

Step 2 – Dig a circle around the plant about 6 inches from edge of plant crown. This ensures you get a lot of roots with the growing points.

 

Step 3 – Lift the clump out of the hole. Take a very sharp spade or knife & cut the crown into big chunks. Big divisions should make a nice blooming plant next year. Don’t make small divisions as they will take a long time to mature. 

 

Step 4 – Replant the newly divided perennials or put in a pot to give away.  Take advantage of the opportunity to amend the new planting site with compost.

 

If you are just getting the swing of dividing perennials, here is a list of easy perennials to divide. They are very forgiving subjects.

 

Asters, Astilbes, Bee Balm, Campanulas, Daylilies, Hostas, Ornamental Grasses, Penstemons, Phlox, Sedums and Shasta Daisies.

 

I know it’s a little intimidating, but your replanted perennials will fall back into the first year motto, and will thank you for all the new room you’ve given it.