Perhaps you have a perennial that is taking up too much space in your garden. Maybe you have a perennial that has been in one spot so long that it is getting thin in the center, or blooming less than in the past. Or, you might just want to share some of your favorite plants with a friend. There are some simple steps to follow that will make for more successful divisions. Choose a day when it’s not too hot, preferably when rain is forecast for later in the day or evening. Use a garden fork to loosen soil all around the plant, then carefully lift it from the ground and do the dividing in an area that is out of the sun. Remove dead or damaged parts of the plant along with weeds attached to the plant clump. If the perennial is one with a spreading root system (for example, chrysanthemums), it can sometimes just be pulled apart by hand. If it’s too large, a knife can be used to cut the roots apart. In that case, care should be taken to make the cuts so that each divided clump ends up with several growing shoots and a fair number of roots. The more shoots each division has, the better chance the plant has for new growth. Perennials with woody root balls (for example, hostas) can be divided into 4-6 inch chunks with a sharp knife, or if very large with the help of a pruning or hand saw (it may be easier to strategically place a garden spade and jump on it). Working with a half or a quarter of the root ball makes dividing into smaller pieces easier. Before planting newly divided perennials, take the time to give them the best chance possible to do well by amending the soil. Mix several inches of rotted manure or compost with the soil, and plant at the same level they were when removed. Fill the hole with soil and tamp down gently to eliminate air pockets around the roots. Water generously and continue to provide adequate moisture during the growing season. With that said, there are some plants that resent being “disturbed.” Some of the more common ones include bleeding heart, gas plant, columbine, anemone, false indigo, baby’s breath, lupine, butterfly weed, peony and oriental poppy. If disappointed in dividing efforts, it might be best to carefully move a whole plant with as little disturbance to the root system as possible, or purchase new plants if you simply want more of a particular variety to fill a spot in your garden.
