Guide to Splitting Vegetation: A Step-by-Step Process
In the world of gardening, dividing perennials is a simple yet effective way to rejuvenate tired plants and multiply your gardening stock for free. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to divide various perennials, based on tips from Monty Don and Carol Klein.
Late spring is the perfect time to divide clumps of ornamental grasses to increase stocks. Monty Don offers insightful tips on buying primulas for propagation and shares advice on replanting divided primulas. Primroses can be easily divided after they finish flowering, and Monty Don has a video guide on how to do just that.
For hardy geraniums, the best time to divide is in early spring or early fall when the plant is not in active bloom. Carefully dig up the clump and split it into smaller sections, each with roots and shoots. Similarly, hostas can be divided in early spring as they emerge or in mid to late summer. Dig up the clump and separate it into pieces with at least a few shoots and roots. Summer division is especially effective as hostas tolerate it well.
Daylilies, another popular perennial, prefer dividing in early spring or late summer but are also one of the few perennials that handle mid-summer division very well. Dig up the clump and split into smaller sections, each with roots and fans of leaves.
Ornamental grasses are usually divided in early spring before new growth starts or in late fall after they die back. Dig up and separate the root balls into smaller sections. Rudbeckias, asters, and bamboo can also be divided using similar methods.
Spring-flowering perennials like penstemons should be divided late summer to early fall after blooming has finished. Dig up the clump and split into smaller sections.
General recommendations include ensuring each division has healthy roots and multiple shoots or fans, trimming the top foliage after dividing, and watering well to help the divisions establish. Dividing in cooler periods of early spring or early fall is ideal for most perennials, but daylilies and hostas tolerate summer division well and can be rejuvenated then.
Specific to cyclamens, tubers should be divided with a sharp knife during their summer dormancy (dry period), about every 4–5 years.
Dividing plants in spring allows them to settle into their new homes quickly, while dividing in autumn allows plants to take advantage of warm, damp soil to establish roots. Lifting and dividing perennial plants is an easy way to get new plants for free and rejuvenate tired ones.
Monty Don has video guides on how to divide hostas, Calamagrostis, and even primulas, demonstrating the process step by step. Carol Klein shows how to dig up a pulmonaria and pot up the divisions.
Many plants can be divided before they're planted out, giving you several plants for the price of one. It's ideal to lift and divide spring bulbs just as they finish flowering for an even better show of flowers in future years.
In conclusion, dividing perennials is a valuable skill for any gardener. By following these tips, you can ensure a healthier, more vibrant garden while also multiplying your plants for free. Happy gardening!
[1] Monty Don's Gardening Advice: [Link to source] [2] Carol Klein's Gardening Tips: [Link to source] [3] RHS Guide to Gardening: [Link to source] [4] Gardening Know How: [Link to source]
In the home-and-garden realm, gardening enthusiasts can boost their gardening stock by dividing hardy geraniums, hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses during specific seasons, such as early spring, early fall, or summer. For instance, hostas can be divided in early spring as they emerge or in mid to late summer, while daylilies prefer dividing in early spring or late summer. (lifestyle, gardening, hostas, daylilies, ornamental grasses)
Spring-flowering perennials like penstemons should be divided late summer to early fall after blooming has finished, allowing them to settle into their new homes quickly. This practice is an easy way to rejuvenate tired plants and obtain new ones for free, creating a more vibrant lifestyle for gardeners. (lifestyle, gardening, penstemons)
