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Roberta's Tip:Propagating and Subdividing
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Roberta's Tip:Propagating and Subdividing
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Roberta's Tip:Propagating and Subdividing
Mar 12, 2008

Though not necessary, most garden perennials should be subdivided every few years. This is done so yields can increase exponentially on many plants. If you have plants that at one time grew well, but now do not, this may help with their future growth. That’s so you can share any abundant plants with your friends and family in early spring after threat of last frost.

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Posted by Garden Expert Mar 12, 2008 10:43 PM EDT
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There are several ways to divide perennials so they can multiply for you! One way is to dig out the entire clump and using a sharp knife or the edge of a square spade, cut directly through the green portions, the reddish crown area and then through the roots. The reddish portion of most perennials is where the plant divides into the green foliage and roots. Once these are cut into pieces, set them back into the ground at the same level they were originally in the soil. Another way of division of plants is using a special fork to tease apart the fans of a daylily. Again make sure that the entire plant (foliage, reddish crown area and roots with those elongated swellings or nodules) are included in each division. A good rule of thumb to remember is: if it blooms in the spring and summer, divide in the fall. And if it blooms in the fall, divide in the springtime. Exceptions to this rule are daylilies, sedums and hostas which can tolerate division at any time during the growing season.
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JustJazzmom
Mar 15, 2008 12:32 PM