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How to Divide a Herbaceous Perennial
Low Spreading herbaceous perrenials can be split & divided into individual plants offering you more plants, colour & flowers in your garden without having to spend a penny. Dividing plants can also help to improve your plant's vigor & health
When can we divide herbaceous perennials
- When plant becomes 2-3 times their size
- Or within 2-5 years
- Or simply if it has exceeded it's space
- Early spring is usually best time
Why do we do it
- To reduce competition within the plant
- For healthier, longer living plants
- For the bonus of more (free) plants
What plants can be divided
- Clump forming herbaceous perennials
- Bulbs
- Grasses
- Spreading shrubs / ground cover
Process of dividing plants
The process varies depending on the type of plant
For clump forming perennials
- Dig up or lift the plant from the ground
- Using two garden forks placed through centre of plant, pry the plant apart
- Lever the two forks slowly, separating the plant’s roots
- Once done, plants can be further divided by hand
- Examples include: Heleniums, Heuchera, Iris
For low spreading plants
- You can simply dig up a small piece of plant & re-sow individual plants
- Examples include: Geraniums, Persicaria, Ajuga
Note
- Dividing should be done on an overcast day
- It is best to not leave the plant's roots exposed
- Keep your plants well watered until new growth appears
- Provide some shade if they appear to be wilting
