As a gardening enthusiast, you know that perennials are a great addition to any garden. Not only do they provide color and texture year after year, but they also offer the opportunity to divide and propagate plants to fill in other areas or share with friends and neighbors.
Fall is the perfect time for dividing many perennials, as it allows them to establish strong roots before their spring growth.
In this article, we will discuss 15 perennials that are ideal candidates for division in the fall season.
Dividing your perennials not only helps maintain their health and vigor, but it’s also a cost-effective way to expand your garden’s beauty and variety.
So, let’s explore some of the best options for rejuvenating and multiplying your perennial collection this autumn.
Understanding Perennial Division
Importance of Division
Dividing perennials is beneficial for both your plants and your garden. It helps rejuvenate older plants by giving them more room to grow, breathe, and access nutrients from the soil.
Additionally, dividing perennials can help prevent overcrowding and promote healthier growth for all plants in your garden. By dividing, you can also create new plants for different areas of your garden or to share with friends and family.
Best Time for Division
The ideal time to divide perennials is during the fall season. This allows the plants to establish their root systems and acclimate to their new location before the harsh winter weather arrives. Furthermore, doing so in the fall gives newly divided plants ample time to grow and flourish, ensuring a beautiful bloom in the following spring and summer seasons.
So, as you plan your fall gardening tasks, make sure to include dividing your perennials to ensure a healthy and vibrant garden in the upcoming year.
15 Perennials to Divide in Fall
1. Hostas
Fall is an excellent time to divide your Hostas. Dividing them during this period ensures that they continue to grow and expand for the next season. Remember to water them thoroughly after dividing and replanting.
2. Peonies
Dividing Peonies in fall ensures that they have enough time to settle in before winter. Carefully lift the entire clump and divide it into smaller sections. Make sure each division has at least three to five eyes for the best results.
3. Siberian Irises
Move your Siberian Irises from crowded clumps to new locations for optimal growth. Gently dig them out and separate the rhizomes, replanting each one at least 18 inches apart.
4. Coneflowers
Coneflowers can be divided in fall to help them maintain their vigor. Remove the plant gently from the ground, and separate the roots using your hands or a knife.
5. Beebalm
Divide your Beebalm to maintain their health in the fall. Split the clump using a sharp spade or knife, making sure each division contains both roots and shoots.
6. Black-Eyed Susans
Divide Black-Eyed Susans to rejuvenate older plants and encourage better growth. Separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring that each has a good root system and several shoots.
7. Sedum
Divide Sedum plants by lifting them and gently teasing apart the root ball. Replant at the appropriate spacing for the specific variety.
8. Daylilies
Daylilies can be divided in the fall to promote better flowering. Use a fork to lift them out of the ground and use your hands to separate the roots gently.
9. Lily of the Valley
Divide Lily of the Valley after the foliage has died back in fall. Plant individual pips or small clumps at least 6 inches apart.
10. Coral Bells
Move overcrowded Coral Bells to a new location in fall. Dig around the plant with a spade, then separate it into smaller divisions. Make sure each division has some roots attached.
11. Astilbes
Divide Astilbes in the fall to revitalize older plants and improve flowering. Gently lift the clumps and separate the roots with your hands, ensuring each division has a few buds.
12. Yarrow
Divide Yarrow to maintain its health and avoid overcrowding. Carefully break apart the clumps, making sure that each new division has some roots and foliage.
13. Coreopsis
Divide Coreopsis in fall to keep them growing well and to encourage better flowering. Use a spade to split the clumps and replant the divisions with ample space.
14. Phlox
Dividing Phlox in the fall helps to prevent disease and maintain its vigor. Break the clumps apart with your hands, making sure there are healthy roots on each division.
15. Salvia
Finally, dividing Salvia after summer blooming is complete helps to rejuvenate the plant for the next season. Carefully separate the root clumps, and replant each division in well-spaced locations.
Dividing these perennials in fall will maintain their health and optimize their growth for the following year. Take the time to care for your garden and enjoy the beautiful results!
Step-by-Step Division Guide
Dividing perennials in the fall is a rewarding gardening task that promotes growth and longevity for your plants.
Follow these simple steps for successful division, and get ready to enjoy a more vibrant and flourishing garden.
1. Choose the right time: It’s crucial to divide perennials at the correct time, which is usually during late summer or early fall. This gives the plants enough time to establish new roots before the cold weather sets in.
2. Prepare your tools: Gather the necessary tools for the job, such as a sharp spade or garden fork, a trowel, a garden knife, and a container to hold the divided plants.
3. Water the plants: A day or two before dividing, give your plants a thorough watering. This will help reduce stress and make it easier to remove them from the ground.
4. Dig up the plant: Carefully dig around the plant’s root system in order to lift it out of the ground. Be cautious not to damage the roots as you work.
5. Gently separate the clumps: Use your hands or a garden fork to gently tease apart the root clumps. If the roots are tightly tangled, use a garden knife to make clean cuts.
6. Replant the divisions: Plant each division in a new location with the appropriate spacing and at the same depth as it was previously growing. Make sure to fill any air pockets around the roots with soil and gently firm the area.
7. Water well and mulch: Immediately water the divisions to help settle the soil and encourage root growth. Adding a layer of mulch around the plants will help retain moisture and protect them from winter weather.
Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure your perennials thrive after division and enjoy an even more abundant garden next year.
