Want more plants? Here is your answer!
Who doesn’t love more of a good thing? Your favorite perennials truly can be the gift that keeps on giving through splitting plants or plant division! Every two to three years, lots of perennials are ready to be divided and repeated somewhere else in your garden, and not only does it give you more plants but it also keeps your plants thriving! So if you’re wondering how to divide plants.. Let’s dig in! (Get it…)
Most perennials are best divided when they are first emerging in the spring. (Irises are a big exception! Divide these beauties AFTER they flower.)
Here’s how splitting plants work:
- When doing plant division, I recommend digging up the entire plant, roots and all, using a fork or spade. Tap carefully to remove loose dirt around the roots.
- Next, separate the plant by its crowns and accompanying roots, while for the division to be successful, every crown should have as many roots as possible.
- Once separated, it’s time to give your separated crowns and roots a new home. Dig holes deep enough so that the crown is at or just below ground level. Fill in the hole around the roots with local dirt and soil, just like you would a store bought plant. (If you compost, this is a great opportunity to use some of that wonderful soil you’ve been creating.)
- As with any new member of the garden, water it generously.
And voila! You’ve divided and conquered!
If you’re still not sure how to do it properly or if splitting plants is a great idea for your garden, I’ve added a list below of the easiest and best candidates for plant division.
Easiest local Georgia plants that can be divided:
-Aster
-Hosta
-Black Eyed Susan
-Coneflower
-Daylily
-Peony
-Lamb’s Ear
