By Kathy Torres

Fall is officially upon us, however, it really doesn’t feel like it yet. Hopefully, soon we will have a change in the weather, bringing cool mornings and evenings, milder temperatures in the afternoons, low humidity, and more frequent rain. The arrival of fall weather usually encourages us to get back in the yard to prune shrubs a little, cut back or remove annual plants, or take a look at perennials that may have become too crowded. Taking into account that COLD weather is on the way, it’s important to address these tasks before it gets here!

Dividing perennials is a form of propagation: you are creating multiple plants from a single plant. This practice will give you more plants (for free) to fill empty spots or share with friends and neighbors. When plants become crowded, they may not receive enough water or nutrients from the soil. Dividing will invigorate plant growth and flower production. It’s fairly simple… dig them up, separate the roots, and replant.

Spring is a better time for dividing for some perennials, especially those that bloom in the fall. Most perennials, however, can be divided in fall. There is usually more rain, which makes digging them up easier, and results in less watering for you. It is also easier to determine which plants are overgrown at the end of the summer season, and bare spots in the landscape are more obvious. Perennials with a moderate growth rate may need dividing only every 3-5 years. Others that spread more rapidly like catmint, hyssop, and Japanese painted fern can be divided every year if necessary.

Here are the basic steps to divide perennials:

1. 1. Dig the Clump: Insert spade or shovel into the soil around the perimeter and deep enough to isolate as much of the root ball as possible.
   2. Remove the Clump: Once the shovel is under the root ball, lever the root ball up and down to loosen and position it on the shovel. Then, lift the shovel and root ball. Keep the root system intact as much as possible. Once the plant is out of the ground, shake excess soil from around the root ball (this will make it easier to pull the clump apart).
      Hint: Use a hose to gently wash away soil from roots.
   3. Separate the Crowns: Gently pry crowns and roots apart ensuring that there are leaves as well as roots on each separated clump. Some plants may require a sharp knife or even an axe to cut a dense root ball. Liriope, AKA Monkey Grass, and Elephant Ear are examples. You may lose a portion of the root, but don’t worry, these regenerate like crazy.
      Hint: After dividing your plants, use pruners to clip away dead or damaged stems, and pluck out any weeds. Cut long daylily and iris leaves down by half; this will make these plants easier to handle.
   4. Replant: Prepare the area by loosening soil and adding compost. Be sure to plant at the same depth as originally planted. Don’t fertilize. Wait until spring when new growth appears. Water well and cover with mulch to help conserve moisture while newly divided plants become established. If there are periods without rain, be sure to water sufficiently. Plants may become a bit droopy after planting but should bounce back.

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” they say, so here are a few examples of how divided plants should look when prepared for replanting.

Daylilies	Irises
Hostas	Garden Phlox

Although it is a simple thing to do, there are a couple of rules that apply when dividing plants.

1. 1. • Do not divide when a plant is blooming or if the plant is stressed (yellow or brown leaves), especially during periods of drought.
      • Divide before frost occurs. You want to have a little time for the roots to get established and if the crowns above ground are damaged, it may affect the new plant’s survival.
      • Plant as soon as possible so that roots don’t dry out. If you must wait a day or two, sprinkle the roots with a little water and keep them in a shady spot.

Some plants, like bee balm, Siberian iris, or astilbe, grow outward in a ring, leaving a dead spot in the center. To reinvigorate them, dig up the whole clump, shake off as much soil as possible, and split the outer ring of healthy plants into smaller sections for replanting. Toss out the woody centers and any damaged or diseased parts of the plant.

Perennials reward us with their return year after year. For me, it is always a thrill to see new growth coming up in spring from treasured perennials. I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog, you feel the same way, so take care to water and fertilize your perennials so they will thrive. Divide as needed to maintain their health and beauty and your rewards will be multiplied!

There’s always something blooming at Wingard’s!