Dividing Perennials 
Dividing Guide
Almost all varieties of perennials can be divided, but there are a few you shouldn’t disturb.
| DIVIDE IN EARLY SPRING: Every 1-3 years | |
| Aster Beardtongue (Penstemon) Beebalm (Monarda) Carnation (Dianthus) Common Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) Coralbells (Heuchera) Cornflower (Centaurea) Delphinium Fernleaf Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) |
Foamflower (Tiarella) Garden Mums (Dendranthema x grandiflora) Obedient Plant (Physostegia) Painted Daisy (Tanacetum) Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum) Spiderwort (Tradescantia) Tall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Tickseed (Coreopsis) Yarrow (Achillea) |
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DIVIDE IN EARLY SPRING: Every 3-5 years
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| Astilbe Bellflower (Campanula) Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) Catmint (Nepeta) Coneflower (Rudbeckia) Gay Feather (Liatris) |
Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) Mallow (Malvia) Sea Thrift (Armeria) Speedwell (Veronica) Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) |
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DIVIDE IN EARLY SPRING: Infrequently, 5-10 years
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| Cranesbill (Geranium) Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Hosta Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida) Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla) |
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) Meadow Rue (Thalictrum) Meadowsweet (Filipendula) Oxeye (Heliopsis) |
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DIVIDE IN LATE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL
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| Asiatic Lily Bearded Iris Daylily (Hemerocallis) |
Peony (divide infrequently) Siberian Iris |
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DO NOT DIVIDE
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Baby's Breath (Gypsophila) Evening Primrose (Oenothera missourienis) |
False Indigo (Baptisia) Flax (Linum) Gentian Lupine Monkshood (Aconitum) Russian Sage (Perovskia) |
Tips for Dividing Perennials
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1.
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If the ground is not moist, water the plants 1-2 days in advance. | |
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2.
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Divide during cool, cloudy weather. | |
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3.
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Dig around the entire root system and remove the entire clump. | |
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4.
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There are 2 methods to divide root clumps | |
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For dense roots such as Peonies, cut with a sharp knife. | |
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Tangled, fibrous roots or clumps with small plantlets growing at the edges of a large clump can be separated by hand or by inserting two garden forks placed back-to-back then pulling them apart. | |
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5.
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Replant the same day; we recommend mixing organic matter such as Peat Moss or Manure with the existing soil. | |
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6.
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Fertilize with a granular fertilizer such as Bachman’s 10–20–10. | |
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7.
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Water the plants. | |
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8.
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Mulch with 1-2” of organic mulch. | |
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9.
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In the fall, after several hard frosts when the ground is frozen, mulch with straw or chopped leaves 4–6” inches deep. | |
Related Bachman's Information
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Daylilies |
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Hardy Garden Lilies |
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Hardy Hibiscus |
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Hostas |
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Iris |
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Peonies |
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Perennials for Fall Interest |
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Perennials for Spring Interest |
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Perennials for Summer Interest |
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Perennials for the Shade |
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Vines |
Bachman's Floral, Gift & Garden Centers
Your local garden expert since 1885.
bachmans.com | ©Bachman's 2012
Select source information provided by the University of Minnesota Extension, www.extension.umn.edu.
Last Updated: March 2012
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