Buzz
Perennials, which return annually, are a valuable addition to any garden. You can maximize this value by dividing existing plants in your yard. Often, you can separate a portion of the plant, including its roots, and transplant it to another area, effectively spreading the beauty and benefits of these hardy plants.
Late summer is the ideal time to divide these perennials
Discover which plants are best divided during the late summer months to ensure healthy growth and expansion.
Clusters of Irises
To separate irises, use a hori hori knife with its sharp, serrated edge to free sections. For larger clusters, a spade can be used to dig around and detach portions. My preferred method involves using a serrated bread knife to cut through the tubers directly in the soil. These divisions don’t need immediate replanting, but ensure they don’t dry out excessively before being planted.
Varieties of Lilies
Daylilies, Oriental lilies, and Asiatic lilies continually produce additional bulbs. However, without intervention, these bulbs yield progressively smaller flowers annually. To rejuvenate them, dig up the bulbs, replant them to encourage new root growth, and enhance blooming. Carefully use a spade or hand shovel to loosen the soil around the roots, prepare the planting area, add bulb food or fertilizer, and then cover the bulbs with soil.
The planting depth for bulbs should match their size: a one-inch bulb goes one inch deep, a three-inch bulb three inches deep, and so on. Bulbs require exposure to winter cold, making September or October ideal for refreshing them. Additionally, be cautious as lilies are harmful to cats, so plant them in areas inaccessible to felines.
Columbines
This often-overlooked beauty can be divided in August to ensure more of its delicate flowers bloom the following year. Once the clump is large enough, use a spade to slice through the rootball and separate a section. Transplant the clump immediately, keeping the soil intact and minimizing root disturbance. Water the new planting thoroughly, refill the soil around the original plant, and provide both with some shade for a few days to help them recover.
Peonies
Gardeners who grow these fragrant, ruffled beauties understand their value. While peonies produce a few new blooms annually, establishing a new plant can take several years. To divide peonies, carefully separate a portion with at least a few eyes using a spade, as described earlier. Plant the new divisions at the same depth as the parent plant, ensuring they are well-watered. The effort is worthwhile, as peonies from garden centers can be quite expensive.
Yarrow Plants
A favorite among pollinators, this tall yellow bloom now dazzles in stunning red and pink hues, attracting butterflies, birds, and bees to the garden. However, yarrow can be invasive and dominate its surroundings. Instead of growing it from seed, acquire it when others divide their plants. If you already have yarrow, divide it annually by cutting through the rootball with a spade, then share or relocate the divisions to maintain control.
