Ask Yourself “What Plants Do I Have That Can Be Divided?”
Autumn is the time to ask yourself “What plants do I have that can be divided?” Look around your yard for those perennials that are taking over their growing space. Dividing and replanting them will not only help them grow but can make unique gifts by potting up the plants for friends.
Many of us have perennials such as Lamb’s Ear, Hosta, Shasta Daisies, Iris, and Daylilies in our landscape because they are easy to take care of, add color and texture, and keep coming back on their own year after year. Eventually, though, many of them spread into areas we do not want them in or just get overgrown, crowding other plants out. Fall is a good time to divide these plants when the air and soil temperatures are cool, allowing for less stress on the plants.
Here are a few basic tips to guide you when tackling your perennials.
- Choose a day that is somewhat cool when the soil is dry.
- Moderately prune plants to be divided to help reduce plant stress.
- Dig around plant carefully, leaving the soil ball as large as possible.
- Divide the root ball into smaller clumps by gently separating if possible.
- For dense roots, use a pruning saw to break into sections (remove damaged roots, corms, etc.).
- Discard damaged and older sections, leaving the healthier ones for replanting.
- Prepare pots and/or new areas of the garden for the divisions by amending with compost.
- After planting, water the plants well to help the roots get established.
Be sure to check out this recent GBTS video for more information on how to divide your plants this fall at: https://gardenbytheseaoceanshores.org/educational-videos/
Consider sharing the joy of gardening, as well as brightening someone’s day, by taking one of your newly re-potted perennial plants over to their house. Perennials always make for wonderful gifts.
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