Digging and Dividing Perennials

You probably chose perennials for your landscape because, as they are named, they continue to grow year after year. Because of this, they are relatively trouble free. In addition, they come in a wide range of sizes; colors, varieties and they bring tremendous pleasure.

What some people forget is that perennials also require occasional timely care. Most perennials need to be dug up from the ground and divided about every three to five years in order to maintain a healthy plant.

This is not true of all perennials, but it is true of most of them. Peonies are a fine example of an exception to the rule. In fact, peonies are best left alone for 15 to 25 years. But, perennials such as the hosta and chrysanthemum are examples of the rule and should be dug and divided every other year or so.

What do I mean by this? When I say dig and divide, I literally mean you are going to dig up these plants and divide them into several plants.

For most perennials, as the plant spreads, the healthiest part is the outside edge. The plants begin to die out in the center, and the whole plant may degenerate from that point on. To rehabilitate the plant, grab your shovel, or better yet - spading forks - and get ready to dig.

Start 3 to 6 inches away from the outside-most stems of the plant and dig straight down about a foot; separating the whole plant form the soil all the way around the outside. You want to get sufficient root for the plant to thrive in its new location. If the plant is too large to easily lift the entire unit from the ground, cut down through the plant taking a wedge of healthy stems and root systems. Do this several times, as needed, keeping the healthiest parts of the plant and discarding the dead middle portion.

This may seem as though we are butchering the plant, but, in fact you're making several brand new plants. This is actually a renewal and rehabilitation process that will rejuvenate perennials when done starting in mid-August and completed from mid-September to October 1. You should re-plant one of the new plants in the center of the space from which you just dug, keeping your original perennial garden in tact. Take the other plants and start new sections in your landscape with perennials. If you have too many, give some away to friends, neighbors or co-workers.

This is also an opportune time to rework the soil in your perennial garden. To get your rejuvenated plant off to a great start next spring, add compost, peat and fertilizer to the bed while you are replanting. Then, after you have re-planted the bed, water and mulch the area to assure the plant's requirements over winter. Then sit back and anticipate a beautifully rejuvenated perennial garden that will bring you new pleasure next summer with healthy new growth.