When’s the Best Time to Divide and Transplant Perennials?
So, when’s the best time to divide and transplant perennials? While some consider fall to be the best time to move flowering perennials, spring allows the plants to have the winter to adjust to their new location and slowly establish themselves. Dividing ornamental grasses and perennials in spring reduces stress on the root system and allows the plants to establish in their new location before the hot summer months.
Dividing Ornamental Grasses
When dividing ornamental grasses in early spring, it’s best to cut the clump and roots into smaller sections to create new plants. The smaller the transplant section, the better the plants will establish. To divide ornamental grasses, you’ll need to dig up the entire root ball using a sharp, sturdy shovel. Once you remove the clump, divide and replant.
It’s essential to divide ornamental grasses while they’re actively growing but not flowering. Dividing dormant grasses may not allow them to establish a sound root system before summer. Additionally, avoid splitting the grass during the hot summer months.
What Perennials Can Be Divided?
Here are some common perennial plants that are best divided and transplanted in the spring.
- Hostas – Spring is the ideal time to divide and replant hostas. This helps promote healthy growth and flowering.
- Daylilies – You can divide Daylilies as soon as new growth emerges from the ground.
- Peonies – Peonies do best when divided and transplanted in early spring before new growth appears.
- Irises – Divide German and Siberian irises in early spring for best results.
- Phlox – Spring is the prime time to divide and replant perennial phlox.
- Coneflowers (Echinacea) – Divide these drought-tolerant perennials in early spring.
- Asters – Spring is the optimal time to divide and transplant fall-blooming aster plants.
- Bee Balm (Monarda) – This fragrant herb/perennial is best divided and replanted in early spring.
- Daisies – Many perennial daisies can be successfully divided and transplanted in spring.
- Sedums – The stonecrops and flowering sedums grow best when divided in spring.
What Are the Benefits of Dividing Perennials in the Spring?
Here are the key benefits of dividing ornamental grasses in the spring.
Rejuvenate the Plants
Dividing ornamental grasses in spring helps rejuvenate the plants by stimulating new growth and preventing the centers from becoming bare and woody over time. The cool, moist spring conditions allow perennials to become well-established in their new locations.
Improve Vigor
The division process encourages the plants to put energy into growing new roots and shoots, resulting in fuller, more vigorous plants.
Increase Density
Dividing the perennial allows you to create more individual plants from a single clump, increasing the overall density and coverage in the garden.
Prevent Overgrowth
Left unchecked, perennials and ornamental grasses can become overcrowded and unruly. Spring division helps maintain their size and shape.
Create New Beds
The divided sections can be transplanted to create new plantings elsewhere in the garden or shared with friends.
Timing for Growth
Spring division aligns with the natural growth cycle of ornamental grasses, allowing the divided plants to become established before the heat of summer.
Minimize Stress
Dividing in early spring, before active growth, minimizes plant stress compared to dividing in summer or fall.
In summary, spring division is an essential maintenance task that rejuvenates ornamental grasses, increases their density and vigor, and allows for the easy propagation of new plants.
How Can We Help You?
Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. The company has been built on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy. We work with residential customers and businesses in Central Indiana. Contact Us if you’d like to know more about dividing perennials.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two daughters; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
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Photo by Anita Austvika on Unsplash
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