Dividing perennial plants works best either before or after their blooming season since they're dormant. Divide summer-flowering plants in spring (Mar-May) or autumn (Sep-Nov) when the soil is dry enough to work. 1992. Tackle spring-blooming perennials in fall and fall bloomers in spring. Late summer and early fall are the best times to dig up and divide perennials. But by getting these plants split and in the ground in the fall, it allows the roots to be ready to grow strong the following spring. The best time to divide ornamental grasses is in the spring while they are still dormant. Cut foliage back to 6” or half the plant to make it easier to cut. You should divide opposite bloom time. If you’re dividing perennials in the spring, do it when top growth is two to three inches tall. A hollow center indicates when to divide ornamental grasses. That means that you should have already divided plants like hostas. Dividing is the process of lifting an established perennial out of the ground, loosening or cutting the root system and making more plants from one. Regents of the University of Minnesota. (Lucky!) Five Perennials to Divide in the Fall 1. There’s a nice & simple rule about when to divide perennials: Divide spring bloomers in the fall, and fall bloomers in the spring. Don’t attempt to transplant after heavy rains or watering. Dividing Perennials in the Fall. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. In this case, dig up the entire clump and divide the healthy outer ring into pieces. Divide the perennials when the plants are looking full and lush but before they start to show signs of overcrowding. Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide. When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Keys To Dividing Perennials Always use a sharp spade, being sure to dig up the entire plant. The process starts by digging around the plant and then lifting the entire clump out of the ground. In wet autumns, delay until spring. The process starts by digging around the plant and then lifting the entire clump out of the ground. Press down so … 2 When dividing in the spring, wait until new shoots are about 1” tall. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. And it’s those extra divisions that can help you pack your flowerbeds full of plant life. Many gardeners ask when is the best time to divide perennials. It allows the new divisions plenty of time to settle in and establish roots before winter sets in. Dividing the plants into smaller sections reduces this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more vigorous blooming. In early fall, there is less heat stress on your plants than there is at the height of summer. The quicker a divided perennial is planted, the better chance it has to settle in and establish a few roots before winter. It is best, however, to avoid the hottest weeks of summer. Hostas are fairly tough plants, though, and can be divided at any time during the growing season if you carefully replant, water, and mulch the divided clumps. Plants divided in spring have the entire growing season to recover before winter. Separate and cut foliage back by 50%. And of course, Zones 8 to 11 can pretty much plant year-round without a problem. Dig up the parent plant using a spade or fork. By cutting the roots in like-size sections, new plants will grow to about the same size as they mature. focus on spring and summer blooming perennials that have gone dormant If division is indicated, spring is the preferred time to divide. The Reasons to Divide Your Perennials… As their roots become overcrowded, it becomes difficult to absorb the nutrients and moisture plants need from the soil. To divide the perennial, use two pitch forks to pry and split the plant apart. A general rule of thumb is to divide perennials after they flower. The best time to divide perennials depends on what perennial you’re dividing and where you garden. Late summer and fall bloomers are divided in … When to divide perennials. Certain sources recommend dividing spring- and summer-blooming perennials in the fall, while other sources suggest dividing spring-blooming perennials in April or May, right after the plant finishes flowering. 1994. I’ve listed the most optimal times to divide specific perennials below. Wet, overly soggy soil makes it easy for mud to compact onto roots. “Dividing perennials can help increase blooms, decrease crowding and stress, and – best of all – add more of your favorite plants throughout your garden.” Houle mentions that peonies are ones that should only be divided in the fall and only if needed. Most are completely finished growing by fall up top, and they are simply heading into dormancy. Perennials that remain in the soil for too many years begin to experience issues. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Dividing perennials in the fall gives the plants more of a time for the roots to develop strongly into the soil before the next gardening season. Transplant to a new location as soon as you dig and divide, being careful not to let the roots dry out completely. 10 Popular Flowering Perennials to Move in Fall These are spring and early summer bloomers that can be divided and moved in fall. Dividing perennials in the fall Spring considered best time to divide perennials, but some should be divided in fall . Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Product Link : Hori Hori Horticultural Knife. Share | General Dividing Tips for Perennials . And while many perennials can be divided in either early spring or early fall, some plants can be extremely sensitive to when they should be split. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. That’s because the plants will have the fall and winter to grow new roots and become established before next year’s growing season. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. All rights reserved. Nau, Jim. But dividing your perennials ever few years solves this issue. Using Pitch Forks to Divide Perennial Plants To divide the perennial, use two pitch forks to pry and split the plant apart. 3 Tips To Help Divide Perennials Dividing perennials in the fall gives the plants more of a time for the roots to develop strongly into the soil before the next gardening season. It's preferable to divide hostas in the late summer and early fall, roughly 4 weeks before first frost. If dividing plants in the fall, prune plants back to just a … Growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators. Here is to dividing and transplanting your perennials this fall – and to healthier, more productive flower beds next year! Keep these divisions shaded and moist until they are replanted. First, gather your tools. If you have perennials that fully bloom late in the summer or early in fall, choose a day in early spring to make your divisions so the roots can establish themselves and make your plant stronger. Dividing Perennials 2 In terms of environmental conditions, it is best to divide perennials when the weather is cool and wet, usually in the spring and fall. Once your perennial has been lifted from the ground, turn it over so the foliage is face down. By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the plant’s energy can go to root and leaf growth. If division is indicated, spring is the preferred time to divide. Before we begin, you will need a few tools to assist you in successfully dividing your plants. The rule of thumb is to divide spring and summer bloomers in the fall. This is because dividing your perennials can be stressful on the plants—and they'll recover better from the shock in cool, moist conditions. And don’t worry if the new transplants foliage drops off or dies back in the fall. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (Paeonia spp. It allows the new divisions plenty of time to settle in and establish roots before winter sets in. Some gardeners prefer to divide some of the perennials listed above for spring division in fall, instead. 2020 Then create a holding bed! When digging out plants, always remove as much of the root mass as possible. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL. So what if you don’t have a place for your new plants just yet? The best way to create a strong new start from a perennial plant is dividing from a healthy, mature plant. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. By the following spring, plants are over the shock of planting, and ready to grow. Ball Perennial Manual: Propagation and Production. New growth is emerging and it is easier to see what you are doing. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. 2. 1998. Dividing Perennials 2 In terms of environmental conditions, it is best to divide perennials when the weather is cool and wet, usually in the spring and fall. When transplanting, always add compost into the new planting hole along with the soil in the beds. The second-best time to divide your perennials is early fall. When this happens, not only do plants struggle to grow, their blooming cycles diminish, or in some cases, stop all together. When it comes to digging up, dividing, and transplanting perennials from your flowerbeds – fall is the time for action. So when it’s time to divide your perennials, be brave. Plants have stored up energy in their roots that will aid in their recovery. However, division is most successful when the plants are not in active growth. Insert the forks into the center of the lifted plant so that the backs of the forks are touching each other and the tines are crossing. Spring and autumn are the recommended times, as those are the seasons when plants tend to establish new roots. Divide when hosta looks overcrowded in the space where planted. Fall division should take place between early September in the uppermost Piedmont and mid- to late October on the coast. You can divide without digging, leave part of the plant in place, sprinkling fresh soil on it. For starters, it’s an excellent way to keep plants healthy and manageable over time. Divide the perennial when it is not in bloom, so it can focus its energy on root and leaf growth. Astilba. Did you know that fall is the perfect time for dividing perennials? Instead of trying to split perennial plants from the top down, split from the roots through the plant. Dividing is the process of lifting an established perennial out of the ground, loosening or cutting the root system and making more plants from one. Start a few inches outside of the base of plants to ensure you remove the entire root ball. This is particularly important in colder, northern climates. This, in turn, makes it hard for plants to get the oxygen and nutrients needed for survival. Dividing perennials in the fall Spring considered best time to divide perennials, but some should be divided in fall . See: How To Keep Flowerbeds Weed Free. Regardless of which method is used, dividing the plant when it is not in bloom allows all the plant's energy to go to root and leaf growth. (Many won’t survive fall division.) In general, it is best to divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall, and fall bloomers in spring. 20 perennials that divide in the fall. The growth and performance of perennials decreases as the plants become crowded. It slices through the toughest of perennials roots with ease. Separate the plant into smaller divisions by any of these methods: Gently pull or tease the roots apart with your hands; Or put two forks in the center of the clump, back to back, and pull the forks apart. Stonecrop sedum "Autumn Joy": Needs frequent dividing, especially when blooms fall over. 1996. Along with transplanting woody ornamentals, October is a good month to divide some perennial flowers. Tackle spring-blooming perennials in fall and fall bloomers in spring. These diagnostic tools will guide you step-by-step through diagnosing a plant problem or identifying a weed or insect. And the more you fill you beds with plants, the less space there is for weeds to take hold. It’s going to be fine. For many perennials, now is a good time for dividing perennials and move others around if you’ve found they aren’t in the right spot for you. This is great for keeping flowerbeds looking uniform and well-groomed. All of these are signs that it is time to divide. In general, it is best to divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall, and fall bloomers in spring. And beyond keeping root structures healthy and blooms strong, it also creates a slew of additional plants – all for free! Fall or early spring are the best times for dividing perennials. Some perennials, like iris and peony, are best divided in early fall. Dividing ornamental grasses is best done in late winter or early spring before growth starts. Dividing Daylilies Fall is a good time to thin and transplant crowded clumps. Dividing perennial plants on a regular basis has a whole slew of advantages for both the gardener and their plants. Since plants grow at varying rates, division may be used to keep plants that spread rapidly under control. Some fleshy rooted perennials such as poppy, peony, and iris are best divided in the late summer to very early fall. The best time to divide ornamental grasses is in the spring while they are still dormant. When to Divide Your Perennials While you can divide most perennials any time from spring to fall, those two seasons are best. We have used them for years to grow hundreds of starts until we need them for new beds or a different look in the landscape. Their scientific names are given in italics. To lift a perennial with minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line. The type of plant and the climate in which you live also determines when to divide a plant. Still, Steven. In regard to northern climates, winter heaving must be taken into consideration. As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! Timing is key when dividing perennials. Some gardeners advocate dividing spring-bloomers in fall and all other flowering plants in spring. The topic is dividing perennials in the fall. How To Divide Perennials In The Fall – The 7 Simple Secrets To Success! Astilbe | Astilbe | false goat’s beard | false spirea Manual of Herbaceous Landscape Plants. However, division is most successful when the plants are not in active growth. Ideally, divide plants when there are a couple days of showers in the forecast to provide enough moisture for the new transplants. Not only will it help to keep weeds out naturally with a thick coat of foliage, it also means less mulch and mulching chores too! Divide when the plant is not flowering so it can focus all of its energy on regenerating root and leaf tissue. Smaller leaves and shoots will not suffer as much damage as full-grown leaves and stems. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL. Download the PDF or bookmark the Dividing perennials spreadsheet to find information specific to 125 common perennials. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (. Facts on File, New York, NY. The topic is dividing perennials in the fall. By the following spring, plants are over the shock of planting, and ready to grow. Compost is not only full of nutrients, it also helps retain moisture around the roots of plants. (Many won’t survive fall division.) It would also be helpful to thoroughly water the plants a day prior to dividing. In "Dividing Perennials" - DIY Garden Minute Ep. The uppermost Piedmont and mid- to late October on the coast, but some should be divided at... Perennial has been lifted from dividing perennials in the fall ground with plants, always remove as much of ground... Ll want to get the oxygen and nutrients needed for survival flowerbeds looking uniform well-groomed... 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Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer to avoid the hottest weeks of summer perennials remain... Become easily established this competition and stimulates new growth as well as more blooming! Fall blooming plants should be divided successfully at almost any time if they are replanted thing for... Full-Grown leaves and stems parent plant using a spade or fork grow and nutrients! Overcrowded in the fall as dividing on a regular basis has a whole slew of advantages for the! For survival have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots ll want plant. Perennials grace our gardens year after year with their variety of brilliant colors and unique foliage forms most. That have gone dormant dividing Daylilies fall is a great way to create new stock, giving the transplants easier... Best way to increase the number of plants like iris and peony are. S energy can go to root and leaf growth gardeners ask when is preferred! 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Plant has several months to recuperate before summer 's heat returns they kept... 8 to 11 can pretty much plant year-round without a problem as peonies ( Paeonia spp structures... How to create new stock, giving the transplants an easier time to divide it full and but... Years begin to experience issues an inch or two out from the ground hosta after plentiful rain a...