Dividing Plants

Division is a common way to propagate many herbaceous perennials. It can also be used to rejuvenate old plants that are getting past their best. It is simple to do and very reliable. The following takes a quick look at how to divide plants.

Plants with Fibrous Crowns

The central part of these plants can become woody over time. The crown is usually discarded and the remainder divided into smaller sections to plant out.

Small plants can be divided by hand - simply lift the plant and gently pull sections away that have visible growing points or "eyes".

Congested or woody plants can be separated by using two garden forks - insert them back to back and gently prise them apart until you have separated the plant.

In general, the best time to divide fibrous plants is after flowering because new shoots are being produced and the new root system is developing.

Spring time is best to divide late-flowering plants.

Plants with Fleshy Crowns

These should be divided when they are dormant.

Lift the plant with a fork, wash the crown well and cut off a piece that has at least one developed bud. Ensure that the knife you use is clean and sharp to prevent infection and damage. Dust the cut surfaces with a fungicidal powder and replant each piece immediately.

Semi-woody Herbaceous Plants

Some perennials with upright, sword-like leaves produce offsets, which develop into a large crown of individual shoots, each with their own root system.

In spring, lift and shake off the soil. Gently pull the carious pieces apart. The clump can be divided with a spade if it is hard and woody. Replant the divisions immediately so that the roots don't dry out.

Bulbous Plants

Bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers can also be divided.

Bulbous plants produce tiny bulblets below ground. Remove the flower stem and bury under ground so that the bulblets can form. These will then grow into individual plants.

Bulbils grown on stems above ground and these can be pulled off and grown on.

Lilies can be propagated by scaling. Take the seed scale leaves from the bulb and dust with fungicide. Place them in a bag of damp peat and grot, blow into this, seal it and leave it in an airing cupboard. When bulblets appear on the scale, plant each scale leaf.

Corms, such as crocus and gladioli, can be divided by cutting them into pieces, each one with a bud. Dust with fungicide, leave in a dry place and plant when a tough outer coat has developed.