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Dividing Perennials




Source of Recipe


Aunt Saunny

How often should I divide my perennials? The answer, "When they need it!"

This might sound like a trite answer but it is true. Herbaceous perennials represent an extremely diverse group of plant types that vary greatly in rate of growth. The often seen recommendation for dividing perennials every 3 to 5 years is a gross generalization. Some common perennials such as peonies, hostas and daylilies may rarely need to be divided. Hardy chrysanthemums benefit from yearly division. Everything else is somewhere in between these extremes.

There are several indicators which help determine when to divide perennials. First is the general appearance of the plant. Does it look crowded? If it does, it probably is and needs to be divided. Crowded plants have to compete against themselves and will suffer.

Second, has flower production declined? In general, old plant tissue does not produce as many flowers as young growth. Overgrown or old plants often stop flowering. Division will help restore their vigor and flowering ability.

The third reason for dividing is to propagate new plants. If you need more daylilies or hostas, simply divide the larger plants and spread out the new divisions. This will help you build a large grouping without having to buy more expensive plants.

Most commonly grown perennials are easy to divide. Merely dig them up and look at the underground structure. Generally, a division will be defined as a piece that includes stems or buds, some of the crown and roots attached to the crown. The crown is the plant tissue in the ground from which buds, stems and roots originate.

Usually, once you get the plant out of the ground, it becomes evident whether it must be cut into pieces or if it will pull apart into separate plants. If cutting is required, use a sharp tool and avoid ragged cuts. Be sure to include one or more buds on each division. These buds will become the new stems.

Most perennials may be divided anytime when the ground is not frozen. However, the success of the transplant will depend on how well it is watered during that first growing season. Most dividing is done in the spring or the fall when the weather is cooler and the rains are more consistent. Iris, peonies and oriental poppies tend to do better if divided in the fall. If you must move them in the spring, it will certainly work. You might not get any flowers that first year, however