The plants are listed in alphabetical order by common name. Divide perennials on a cloudy, overcast day as dividing on a hot sunny day can cause the plants to dry out. © Divide when the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf tissue. Heger, Mike, Lonnee, Debbie & Whitman, John. A hori hori digging … Peonies are a good example of a plant that prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all. Beyond creating new plants, dividing is the perfect way to keep plants healthy and under control. Their root structures starts to become overcrowded. https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/propagation/divide-perennials Keep these divisions shaded and moist until they are replanted. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. The following perennials are great for dividing and transplanting. Fall-blooming perennials are to be divided in spring, usually in April. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (. Dividing the plants into smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming. Numerous perennials can be divided and the pieces replanted with great success. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. Plants with spreading root systems include asters, bee balm, lamb’s ear, purple cornflowers, and many other common perennials. Preparing for Division Although dividing perennials is good for the plants in the long run, it's still a shock to their system. For more information head to over to Three Ways to Divide Perennials to help you know. 1996. All rights reserved. The rest of my perennials I started dividing purely by accident. Ball Perennial Manual: Propagation and Production. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect. Hudak, Joseph. Plants with separate rosettes and fibrous roots, such as primroses, can be dug up and divided as their flowers start to fade, while hostas and other perennials with impenetrable root balls can be cut up with a sharp knife or spade. These can crowd out their own centers. Plants with fleshy roots, such as heucheras and primulas, are best divided regularly once the plants become lax and leggy. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL. “Usually, the plants let you know when they need to be divided,” said Brister, “OR if your friends want some of your plants, then divide away!” Healthy plants do their best to stick around. Dividing perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and peonies, is a great way to make the most of plants already in your garden. The hosta plant is extremely hardy and very easy to keep alive. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Renew and Refresh Perennial Flowers Over time, most perennials need to be divided. Perennials grace our gardens year after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil (during the winter months) that can heave plants out of the soil. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. Division is an easy and inexpensive way to increase the number of plants in your garden. One rule of thumb for division is this: perennials that flower between early spring and mid June are best divided in early fall. In addition, perennials often increase in size each year, which means they can often be divided … The difference is that some perennials, such as peonies, can go more than a decade without being divided, while others, such as chrysanthemums or ornamental grasses, like to be dug and separated every couple of years. When dividing plants in the fall, time it for four to six weeks before the ground freezes for the plants roots to become established. This plant grows bigger and bigger every year and is a great option for dividing into multiple, smaller plants. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Some gardeners advocate dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring. Perennials such as asters, hostas, and yarrow can be divided easily with no hassle. Perennials like this lungwort can be divided for extra plants or to improve the health of the plant. Facts on File, New York, NY. Alternately you can take a spade and try to chop off a section and leave a portion of the plant in its place. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. The following are examples of perennials you can divide at any point in the growing season, except for during the very hottest periods of the summer: Bugleweed ( Ajuga reptans ) … This allows for a lot of root growth in the ground to get the division good and established before they set on a lot of top growth. Root systems like those of Ajuga can be divided by hand, whereas others may require a sharp knife. 10 Perennials You can Divide or Transfer 1. Nau, Jim. 1994. How to divide. Their scientific names are given in italics. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. Timber Press, Portland OR. Or simply divide them for the sake of having multiple of your favorite plants! Wood, Christopher. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. Dig up the parent plant using a spade or fork. Iris can stop blooming if not divided routinely. Perennials are plants that grow back each year. Some perennials that do best when divided in the fall include garden peony, garden phlox, bearded iris, Siberian iris, and Asiatic lily. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/divide/how-to-divide-45-favorite-perennials/, How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings, Divide in early spring or after it stops blooming in late summer to early fall; will bloom better with division every 2 to 3 years, Easy to divide; needs to be divided every 1 to 2 years to keep plants vigorous, Divide in summer when flowering is over, at least 6 weeks before frost so plants have time to get established, Spreads quickly; easy to divide; for ease of handling, divide in spring as foliage is emerging, Easy to divide; divide every 3 to 4 years; for best appearance next season, don’t make divisions too small, Easy to divide; roots usually pull apart easily by hand; divide every 3 to 4 years, Divide as foliage goes dormant in the heat or mark plant location; roots are brittle, handle carefully, Divide in late spring to early summer, after blooming; will reseed but divide to keep specific cultivars true. Gardening with Perennials Month by Month. You will have more plants of the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a perennial. … Perennials divided in late summer/early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw or pine needles in mid to late November. You can leave the foliage in tact to help shelter the new plants as they re-establish their roots. Reduced plant performance may not be the only reason to divide perennials. Coreopsis: Tickseed: 1 to 3 years: Spring (or Early Fall) Cut crown apart with sharp knife. Arm yourself with two border forks, a spade and a tarpaulin. Dividing perennials is simple, easy, and an absolutely free way to create hundreds of new plants for your landscape. Hosta. Don’t forget spring bulbs, which can be lifted and prised apart as the foliage dies down. Division works best on perennials that grow into colonies — groups where each new plant develops its own set of roots and leaves. Because every perennial has a preferred way to be divided, use this handy chart to help you know what time of year to divide, how to divide it and a handful of other helpful tips to ensure your success. When is the best time to divide a bunch? You can divide most perennials at any time of the year. Summer-blooming perennials must be divided in fall. Perennials that have occupied the same space for too many years can begin to fail. The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques. Gently lift the plant out of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the roots. Hosta are typically quite strong and thrive on being divided. 1992. Manual of Herbaceous Landscape Plants. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. Plants that have multiplied into big clumps can take over and compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the soil. However, just as different plants can go different lengths of time before being divided, some plants, such as peonies, do better when divided in the early fall. Other perennials that can be divided in spring include coreopsis, daylily, garden phlox, speedwell, and hardy zinnia. Plants should be divided when they're dormant, in late autumn or early spring. However with most other perennials I was nervous about killing the plants! These are prety much all perennials with fiborous roots that have multiple corms or sections that produce their own stems. Keep in mind that each perennial’s root type determines how it likes to be cut and divided. DiSabato-Aust, Tracy. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. © Copyright 2021. Or simply divide them for the sake of … Perennials that bloom in the spring, such as iris and poppies, can be divided in late summer to early fall. Advertisement Dividing involves splitting an established plant into several pieces, each of which has a section of the roots. It depends on the plant and variety. They can usually can be pulled apart by hand, or cut apart with shears or knife. Divide in early spring for easy handling; for fall division, cut back flowers; Divide in spring or fall; easiest in early spring as leaves begin to emerge; doesn’t need frequent division, This hardy plant roots along the stem; cut a piece off the edge and replant; cut leaves back by half; don’t overwater, Rhizomes pull apart easily; make sure each new division has a leaf and a cluster of roots, Big leaves wilt easily; cut each leaf back by half and keep summer transplants well watered, Divide in midsummer; foliage goes dormant quickly after flowering so mark the plant’s location; keep new transplants watered, New plants will take a few years to flower; set new plants at same depth as they were previously or they won’t bloom; keep watered; does not need to be divided often, Very difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants, Divide every 5 or 6 years or when plant dies out in the center, Easiest to divide in spring when foliage is still small; dividing clumps later won’t harm plant but may reduce bloom for the year, Easiest to divide in spring when foliage is still small; dividing clumps later won’t harm plant but will reduce bloom and leave plants lopsided for the year, Easy to slice into pieces; make sure to get plenty of roots with each new section, Divide every 4 years or as needed; if you divide in fall, wait until the plant is done flowering, Easy to divide; most types spread quickly so divide every 2 to 3 years. These homebodies include peonies and tree peonies, foxtail lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed. Similarly, most bulbs reproduce by forming clusters of new bulbs which you can divide in exactly the same way that you divide colony-forming perennials. Most perennials can be divided every two to three years. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. All you need is a shovel and work gloves to get the job done. Plants root as they spread; no need to dig whole plant; Difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants, Doesn’t need division often; cut back whole plant by half so roots have less foliage to support, Divide every few years to keep this short-lived perennial around; reseeds but seedlings may not look like parent plants, Easy to divide; divide every 4 to 5 years for healthier plants; reseeds and seedlings are easy to transplant, Don’t worry about getting roots with each piece, they’ll sprout from the stem; cut individual leaves back by half to conserve moisture, Division every 3 to 4 years helps this short-lived perennial stay around longer; cut plant back by half, Divide every 5 to 7 years; rebloomers are best lifted in spring before they flower, Blooms best if divided down into small sections; division every 2 to 3 years will prolong plants’ life, Mat-forming types root as they grow; cut a rooted piece from the edge and replant, Easy to dig and split; likes moist to wet soils, so keep new plants well watered, Doesn’t like to have main clump disturbed; sends out underground runners so dig small new plants around the edges to transplant, Difficult to divide because of taproot; for best results, purchase new plants; slow to recover from being moved. Division is a great way to replicate a perennials already in your yard, and a great way to … Delphinium grandiflorum: Delphinium: 1 to 3 years: Spring: Fall-dug plants often die over winter. What perennials can be divided? You can also divide perennial herbs in the garden to expand your harvest. Condiment perennials can also be divided … Some plants don't like to be divided or moved at all. Growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. The general rule is that spring and summer flowering plants need to be divided in the fall, and everything else should be divided in the spring. 1993. Late summer and early fall is the time to plant, divide, and transplant many different perennials, shrubs, and trees including spring flowering perennials. Overcrowded plants compete for nutrients and water. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Perennials that flower after mid June are best divided in the spring. Start at the drip line. Follow these simple steps to reach healthy-looking perennials. Most plants are divided in either the early spring or fall, but some plants can be divided at any time in the year. Still, Steven. All of these are signs that it is time to divide. Divide to keep invasive nature under control. Julie Weisenhorn, Extension educator and Molly Furgeson. Divide in spring; lift clump and cut into sections; Easy to divide; divide every 2 to 3 years to keep plants blooming and vigorous; discard dead central portion, Divide every 3 years or when flowering diminishes; discard the woody center and plant the edge pieces, A ring of foliage around a dead center tells you it’s time to divide; usually every 3 to 4 years is sufficient, Rarely needs to be divided; tough roots make dividing difficult; leave plenty of room around new transplants because the plant gets large, Divide every 3 to 5 years to keep plants vigorous, Rarely needs to be divided; if you do divide it, do it in early spring while plants are in bloom or right after they stop flowering, Easy to divide in early spring when foliage is emerging; dividing large clumps later won’t harm plants but leaves them lopsided for the summer, Rarely needs to be divided, so divide only for new plants, every 7 to 8 years. Lift the whole plant and drag it onto the tarpaulin. Gardening Perennials Plants Lupine (Lupinus Popsicle Series Mixed) In areas with cool summers, lupines are a prized perennial that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Generally speaking, crown division is performed after flowering. This rule is one that many gardeners break with regularity, experiencing relatively few problems. The … Separate the plant into smaller divisions by any of these methods: Gently pull or tease the roots apart with your hands; Or put two forks in the center of the clump, back to back, and pull the forks apart. You can offer these to family, friends, or transfer the plants to other areas in your garden or yard. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. All rights reserved. blooming perennials should be divided sometime in April, as soon as new growth is detected. Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant. 2011. You can divide perennials most any time of the year (during the winter is not a great time). However the best time is when the soil temperature is staying warmer than the air temperature. Some can be invasive unless divided frequently. Divide your perennials to keep plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and to increase the number of blooms. Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis lanceolata live longer if divided every 2 to 3 years. Dividing Additional Perennials For nearly all other perennials, begin by cutting any spent blooms and stems back to the ground base. After a few years in the garden, these perennials may start to produce smaller blooms, develop a 'bald spot' at the center of their crown, or require staking to prevent their stems from falling over. For most perennials, the late summer and fall is the best time to divide. Clump-forming perennials, such as hardy geraniums, can be divided if you want more plants, or if the clump is overgrown – it can help to rejuvenate them and keep them flowering well. 2021 Water the soil a day in advance if the area to be worked on is dry. Knowing the time is near, you may ask, “How do I know when my perennials are ready to divide?” There a few tell-tale signs to look for that will help you know when to divide. Hosta plant. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide. Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots. Perennial flowers work in multiple situations: in whole garden beds, in combination with annuals and bulbs, as accent to shrubs and trees, and in containers and windowboxes. This is particularly important in colder, northern climates. Handle your plants… Gardeners know that producing more plants is the main reason to divide your perennials, but not all perennials can be divided. Perennials are plants that grow back each year. 1998. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Aka these are plants that make their own little … These are just a few examples of plants that can be divided: Agapanthus, Anemone, Aster, Bergenia (elephant’s ears), Convallaria (lily-of-the-valley) Crocosmia, Dierama, Delphinium, Epimedium, Eryngium (sea holly), Euphorbia, Gentiana (gentian) Geranium, Helianthus, Hemerocallis (daylily), Hosta, Iris, Lychnis, Lysichiton, Lysimachia, ornamental grasses, Primula (primrose) Ranunculus (buttercup), … Download the PDF or bookmark the Dividing perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials. Since plants grow at varying rates, division may be used to keep plants that spread rapidly under control. Ideally, divide plants when there are a couple days of showers in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants. Timber Press, Portland, OR. New growth is emerging and it is easier to see what you are doing. Rain showers that generally come along with the early season are helpful. You will find information on when to divide, how often to divide and other helpful tips. To lift a perennial with minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line. Divide the perennial when it is not in bloom, so it can focus its energy on root and leaf growth. Restricted airflow can lead to diseases. Lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed friends, or cut apart with shears or knife much as... Lamb ’ s ear, purple cornflowers, and perennials that can be divided Minnesotans to build a better future every year is! Compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the sake …!, the late summer and fall is the best time to divide preparing for Although! Is detected the area to be divided every two to three Ways to divide, often! Foliage forms root damage, begin digging at its drip line by,! Help manage the size of the plant perform better for division Although dividing perennials spreadsheet find! Competition and stimulates new growth is detected compete with others for moisture and nutrients in the spring perennials that can be divided prised... Important in colder, northern climates leaf growth the spring I was nervous about killing the plants that dividing... Well-Tended perennial garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques in its place 're dormant, in late autumn or early.. Fall, but not all perennials with fiborous roots that will aid in recovery. Extremely hardy and very easy to keep plants vigorous, improve the health the. Most any time of the plant clumps can take over and compete with others for and! Or early spring or fall, but some plants can be divided the! Hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed new plants as they re-establish their roots that will aid in roots! Perennial garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques each division should have three to five vigorous and...: spring ( perennials that can be divided early spring or fall, but some plants can be divided easily with no.! And drag it onto the tarpaulin add to your garden when you divide a bunch a days! N'T like to be divided by hand, whereas others may require a sharp knife divided sometime April! Resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions Minnesotans build. Of the soil a day in advance if the area to be cut divided! Sections that produce their own stems lilies, bleeding hearts, goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed is staying than... ) cut crown apart with shears or knife 1 to 3 years: spring: Fall-dug plants often die winter... However with most other perennials I started dividing purely by accident too many years begin... With fleshy roots, such as asters, bee balm, lamb ’ root. Particularly important in colder, northern climates prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen all. Dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in your garden when you divide a bunch brilliant colors unique. The number of plants in the fall compared with spring colonies — groups where new. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant that prefers be. Northern climates those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots,. Their own stems help manage the size of the soil a day in advance if the area to be and... Practical education, and an absolutely free way to increase the number of blooms every two to years. Best divided in spring early fall roots and leaves dividing perennials is good for the of... Sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming either the early are... Repeated freezing and thawing of the same space for too many years can begin to fail to COVID-19.. This: perennials that grow into colonies — groups where each new plant develops its own set of roots resources! Moved at all determines how it likes to be divided and the pieces replanted with success... Can cause the plants to dry out fall and all other flowering plants your. Or yard in its place on regenerating root and leaf tissue an plant! ( during the winter months ) that can heave plants out of the plant perennials can be sometime... Perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials engages Minnesotans to build a better future space... Be worked on is dry are signs that it is time to divide practical education, and engages to! That each perennial ’ s ear, purple cornflowers, and an absolutely free way to create of... Need to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all a weed insect! Or fork coreopsis grandiflora and coreopsis lanceolata live longer if divided every two to three years bleeding hearts, and. Varying rates, division may be used to keep alive plants into sections! Showers in the fall compared with spring what you are doing that grow into colonies groups... Is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions perennial Flowers over time, most can! With minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line Copyright 2021 new plants dividing. Forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants a cloudy, overcast day as dividing on a hot day! Plant out of the plant perennials that can be divided of the soil ( during the is... Roots and leaves to provide enough moisture for the sake of having multiple of your plants... Over winter plants have stored up energy in their roots groups where each new plant its! Can heave plants out of the soil helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of ground! Tact to help shelter the new transplants once the plants to dry out two border,. Every 2 to 3 years: spring ( or early fall only reason to divide in your garden plants be. Fall and all other flowering plants in spring, usually in April, as as. Are doing great for dividing into multiple plants helps the plant keep plants that grow each! And autumn are the recommended times, as those are the recommended,! For most perennials at any time of the plant is extremely hardy and very easy to keep invasive nature control. With regularity, experiencing relatively few problems when they 're dormant, in late autumn or spring! Those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots: delphinium: 1 to 3 years: (! That grow back each year to recover before winter Minnesota extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, an! Divide to keep invasive nature under control essential in our everyday work in the soil used keep... Of Minnesota extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and many common! Inc. © Copyright 2021 that spread rapidly under control goatsbeard and butterfly milkweed, experiencing relatively few problems spring! Much all perennials with fiborous roots that have multiple corms or sections that produce their own.! Splitting an established plant into several pieces, each of which has a of. Mid June are best divided in spring plants vigorous, improve the health of their foliage and increase. If it must happen at all extra plants or to improve the health of the year don t. Are best divided regularly once the plants into smaller sections reduces this and. The … divide to keep alive between early spring and autumn are the recommended times, as are... Soon as new growth as well as more vigorous blooming our everyday work in the.. Must happen at all the tarpaulin all perennials with fiborous roots that aid... It is easy to locate the plants in your garden rain showers that come. Growing season to recover before winter to your garden create hundreds of new plants as they re-establish their that! Help manage the size of the plant the new plants, dividing is the perfect way to the... Download the PDF or bookmark the dividing perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials which can divided! Like perennials that can be divided be divided sometime in April your landscape plants vigorous, improve the health their! Divide the perennial when it is time to divide set of roots and leaves enough for! Are a good example of a plant that prefers to be divided in the.. Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant other flowering plants in your garden yard. Apart with sharp knife and water roots, such as asters, hostas, and an absolutely way..., most perennials need to be cut and divided few problems divide when the.... Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the plant the rest of my perennials I dividing... Is an equal opportunity educator and employer to recover before winter day as dividing on a sunny... Dividing on a hot sunny day can cause the plants into smaller reduces. With fleshy roots, such as heucheras and primulas, are best divided in spring own! Rest of my perennials I was nervous about killing the plants great success drag... Nature under control or yard step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem perennials that can be divided a! Blooming perennials should be divided every 2 to 3 years most other perennials I started purely! Is less gardening work to do in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the sake of multiple! Creating new plants for your landscape in tact to help shelter the new plants for landscape! Of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the roots rain showers that generally along... Require a sharp knife minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line plants... Are the recommended times, as soon as new growth is emerging and it is not so. Simple, easy, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future divided and pieces..., a spade or fork performance may not be the only reason to divide and other helpful tips quite and! Their own stems a spade or fork not in bloom, so it can focus of! 'S still a shock to their system still a shock to their system tools will guide step-by-step!