When to Divide Perennials?

Everyone who gardens knows that perennials reach a point where they must be divided. Either they have outgrown the space they were put in, or just for their own health.
As with houseplants that are looking half dead, once you re-pot into new soil, the suddenly perk up and look healthy again.



Same goes for perennials outside. If they are looking less than healthy, or have outgrown their space, propagating is the only answer. It gives your plants a chance to look healthy again and you end up with more plants. So it’s a win, win.



Dividing perennials is super easy, you just have to know when to do it!

If you have an early blooming plant, you don’t want to put it through the trauma of dividing in Spring. You will Probably forfeit the blooms for that season. The best time to divide early blooming plants is in late Summer. That way they have time to re-establish before the next years blooms.

Just a few examples of plants that would benefit from Early Spring dividing are:

Aster
Black Eyed Susan
Bee Balm
Caladium
Canna
Coneflower
Daylily
Hosta
Lambs Ears
Monkshood
Ornamental Grasses
Rhubarb
Phlox
Windflower

A few examples of plants that would benefit from Late Summer dividing are:

Astible
Bellflower
Coral Bells
Coreopsis
Creeping Phlox
Dianthus
Gayfeather
Iris
Lady Fern
Lily of the Valley
Peony
Solomons Seal



Division can be done by using a sharp spade or I use a serrated knife like the one below. And make sure to use fresh soil when replanting back into the ground.




This handy serrated knife divides plants beautifully and will last for years.

It’s very easy to rejuvenate your perennials and have more plants for years to come!