Autumn is an excellent time of year to dig and divide perennial plants and bulbs. Most plants have completed their flowering and seed setting cycle during the summer months, and during the fall months, they concentrate on growing roots and new foliage.
One important thing to remember if you are interesting in dividing some of your plants is that the fall blooming plants should not be dug or divided while they are in bloom. Some examples of common fall blooming plants are chrysanthemums and asters. Some sedums and ornamental grasses should also not be dug and divided in the fall.
If the plant you wish to dig and divide is a true bulb like a daffodil or Asiatic or Oriental lily. The bulbs should be dug up and gently pried apart. The small bulbs, known as bulblets, around the bulb will eventually grow into blooming plants. These can be separated from the larger, parent bulb and replanted.
Tuberous plants like daylilies tend to grow as a thick mass of roots that is difficult to divide by simply pulling apart the cut roots. A spade or garden trowel can be used to hack into the root ball to separate clumps of tubers that can then be planted in a new location.
Rhizomes like iris can be dug and divided by simply cutting a large rhizome into smaller pieces with root tendrils attached. Any soft or rotten pieces of root should be cut off and discarded during the division process.
Perennial plants with a thick, common root mass can be divided like daylilies with a spade or trowel. If the roots are loosely connected, they can be pulled apart with the fingers leaving a few root tendrils attached to each clump of leaves. Or, if the roots are thick and hard to divide, a sharp knife may be the most effective tool for separating the clump into pieces.
Newly dug perennial plants should be replanted quickly to prevent the roots from drying out. True bulbs and rhizomes can be stored in a cool, dark place for a few days if they cannot be planted immediately.
Tuberous plants can be stored in peat most or with damp shredded paper to prevent the roots from drying out if they cannot be replanted immediately.
It’s wise to avoid trying to dig and divide plants with taproots like the Oriental poppy. These plants are extremely finicky and prefer to be left alone after becoming established.
Fall is a time of year when many gardeners are cleaning up beds, preparing them for winter. This is a great time to share your overabundant plants with plant loving friends.
The newly dug and divided plants will have the remainder of fall to grow new roots and establish themselves in the garden prior to the next year’s bloom.
Questions or comments related to gardening? Contact Joleen at missourigardener@hotmail.com
