Dividing Herbaceous Perennials
Written by Francis Rosenfeld
Most herbaceous perennials can be propagated by division: dig up the clump, tease it apart into several sections, making sure they all get a reasonable share of the roots, and replant them.
Some root systems are really hard and gnarly, but plants are resilient; you can use a fork or a shovel to pry them apart if you need to, they won't mind.
Plant the divisions immediately to avoid transplant stress and water them generously. This helps the plants settle into their new locations and ensures there are no air pockets around their roots.
Divide spring blooming perennials in the fall and fall blooming perennials in the spring. Avoid this method of propagation during summer, when the heat stress combined with the transplant stress is too much for the plants.
Some perennials don't like their roots disturbed, although I can attest to the fact I've divided them anyway and they were none the worse for wear. They just took an extra season to get back in shape. The list includes hellebores, peonies, lavender, columbines, goat's beard, milkweed and Russian Sage.
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About the Author
Main Areas: Garden Writing; Sustainable Gardening; Homegrown Harvestr
Published Books: “Terra Two”; “Generations”; "The Plant - A Steampunk Story"; "Letters to Lelia"; "Fair"; "Door Number Eight"; "A Year and A Day"; "Möbius' Code"; "Between Mirrors"; "The Blue Rose Manuscript"
Career Focus: Author; Consummate Gardener;
Affiliation: All Year Garden; The Weekly Gardener; Francis Rosenfeld's Blog
I started blogging in 2010, to share the joy of growing all things green and the beauty of the garden through the seasons. Two garden blogs were born: allyeargarden.com and theweeklygardener.com, a periodical that followed it one year later. I wanted to assemble an informal compendium of the things I learned from my grandfather, wonderful books, educational websites, and my own experience, in the hope that other people might use it in their own gardening practice.
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