The Ease and Beauty of Dividing Perennials

Dividing your Perennials is so easy that anyone can do it, and will bring you so much joy knowing that you are expanding your gardens without spending a dime!

Over the years you may notice that your Perennials are beginning to take over a certain area or becoming a little leggy. In the beginning of Spring before the temperatures get hot you can easily dig these little babies up and divide them. A few tools you will need are a shovel, spade, and a serrated knife. This is a great way to expand your garden!
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Some of the best Perennials to divide in my opinion are the ones that grow from Rhizomes or Tubers. These are so easy because once you dig them up it is so simple to see where to cut or pull apart. Just by looking them over you will see where the roots have began to branch off, and are so easy to divide. 

Some of the easiest to divide are:

• Elephant Ears
• Irises
• Lady Fern
• Lily-of-the-valley
• Rhubarb
• Hostas
• Daisies
• Monarda

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Like I mentioned before, you want to make sure that you divide your Perennials when it is nice and cool outside. This will allow the roots to grow comfortably in the ground without drying out. It will also ensure that the new growth will not burn up in the heat of Summer. 

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Be sure to always dig at least 4-6 inches around your plant. You want to make sure you get every root you can. Make sure you do not cut off the thick feeder roots. If so you drastically lower the likely hood of your new divisions surviving. 

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Another little tip to remember is to water your Perennials before digging them up. This will make your job so much easier as it will moisten the soil and keep the roots wet while you transplant them. I promise this will help tremendously. 

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Always let the roots be your guide and keep the healthiest parts. The roots are the most important part of the plant. If you keep them happy and healthy then the plant will take care of itself. Also, if some of the divisions don't look very healthy...don't feel bad getting rid of them. This will inevitably happen with all plants throughout the years. 

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I always, always, ALWAYS put a little compost in the holes before I place any plant. Compost is so easy to create and maintain! There is so much organic waste that we simply throw in the garbage when we could give it back to the earth from where it came. Stay tuned as I will be doing a blog on creating your own compost very soon!

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Lastly, make sure you give your new divisions plenty of space to settle in their new homes. This will ensure that they have plenty of room to spread their new roots.

I love dividing my Perennials as it makes me and my wallet so happy! It is fun and easy. Don't be afraid to take a chance on some of your Perennials that are taking up too much space! All of the Hostas and Grasses below were divided to expand the garden!