Rejuvenate your herbaceous perennials. A step by step guide to dividing established perennials and planting on.
Dividing herbaceous perennials
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After a few years, some herbaceous perennials become crowded, flower less freely and can be more prone to disease. Dividing them rejuvenates the clump and gives you extra plants. Choose a suitable time for the plant, generally while it’s dormant between autumn and early spring.
Lift the clump. Cut back old stems to ground level. Dig up the plant carefully, set it on a sheet and remove enough soil to see the roots.
Split it into healthy sections. For fibrous-rooted plants such as asters and phlox, use a hand fork, garden fork or spade to separate the younger growth from the outside and discard the old centre. For plants with more fleshy roots, such as hostas and bergenias, cut larger sections with a sharp spade or knife. Keep at least one or two growing points or buds on each division.
Replant and water. Prepare the ground with garden compost or well-rotted manure. Replant the divisions straight away at their original depth, firm them in and water thoroughly. Pot up any extras to give to friends or family once they’ve grown on.
