Garden flowers

Perennial division

An essential step in the life of a perennial, dividing perennials restores vigor to the plant and multiplies it at the same time.

It is the most economical solution to decorate your garden with new plantings.

Why divide the plants?

A perennial that has been in the same place for years tends to grow strongly and take up a lot of space.
The space that was reserved for him at the start is becoming too small. The division will restore air to the plant and improve flowering.

An old clump becomes important and the richness of the soil is often insufficient to provide the needs which are then necessary for it.
Dividing will help give your plant a new lease of life and give you the opportunity to plant it in different places in your garden.

The best time to divide the clump

It depends on the plants and varieties involved.

  • Usually, it is done after flowering.
  • Summer-flowering perennials should be divided in the fall.
  • Fall-flowering perennials will be divided in the spring, usually April.
  • The condiment perennials will also be divided in the spring.

Perennial division frequency

There are no rules. It depends above all on the development of the plant and what you want to do with it.
It may nevertheless be advisable to plan a division every 2 to 3 years.

For perennials aromatics and condiments, plan a division every year.

Technique for dividing perennials

  1. Point your spade in the middle of the tuft you want to divide.
    For smaller, more fragile perennials, the use of a smaller tool is recommended.
  2. Slice cleanly and precisely where desired.
  3. Leave the tuft of the original plant in place.
  4. Hand remove the clump you will be moving, separating the roots well from the rest.
  5. Fill the hole thus created with a mixture of potting soil and garden soil.
  6. Plant the new clump in the chosen location in a mixture of potting soil and soil from the garden.

Video: Dividing Herbaceous Perennial Salvias (October 2020).