Dividing Perennials
This morning’s article was on dividing perennials, the why, when and how to. See it at http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/hager/wb/315003.
My husband’s method is the brute force method. He also pretty much ignores the whole timing issue and uses the “whenever I have time” method instead.
For the most part, that works fine too.
October 6, 2012 - 8:26 AM
From what I found DR, zones 6 thru 10 are ok, but leaning toward the warmer areas, with zone 5 listed also at -5*F. I’t say you are marginal at best, but do your own checking. I’ve never seen one higher than the valley that I can remember.
From what I’ve found DR, zones 6 thru 10 are listed as ok with zone 5 as marginal. That will include you I’d think. Never saw one higher than the valley.
Good post on the flowers. I forwarded it to the wife. Are plants like mint supposed to be divided or like we did to get a start, simply dig up some shoots and set out. Also, didn’t intend on cluttering your new post with an answer for the previous post, but didn’t know you could still post. Figured the thread was locked.
wd – Mint roots so easily, you don’t have to do anything more than what you’re doing. Dig it up and put it wherever you like, and know in advance that it’s going to take over the whole area, if you let it.
It’s done a perty fair job of that in 2 growin seasons. If we have a get together, I can sure furnish some mint.
Mint – I have had a time getting some to grow. I have planted chocolate, peppermint and spearmint and they have never taken off. I also cannot get cat nip to grow so have to depend on friends or finding it in other places. But a small bit of pineapple mint was accidentally planted in the garden and took off and became invasive.
I generally like to divide my perennials in the spring. Doing it now I always fear they would never get a start before winter sets in up here.
I got all you want. Seems like late fall/early winter is time to move them but don’t know for sure. KH, check in on this one please.
Some sources recommend fall transplanting because gardeners have more time to water the plants and get them settled in without the heat stresses of our summers. I don’t know any gardeners who aren’t at least as busy in the fall, if not busier. The sturdiest perennials (daylilies, irises, hostas)take off regardless of the season. I prefer early spring digging when plants are smaller and easier to manage. Mint sprigs will root in water and the least little piece of root can take off. DCarol, we’ll keep trying to get you a decent patch. Moisture may be the issue, as mine never get any compost or attention.
Usually, mint and other herbs are recommended for spring division, but mint is so easy, I’ve found you can pretty much do it any time. Water rooting works for most of the herbs.
This is very helpful. I have a lot of coreopsis that originally came in 3 plants, but have spread nicely. I wanted to expand the area where I have the coreopsis, by buying additional plants. But, Lowes has not stocked them in the past 2 years near where I live (Zagreb Coreopsis, to be exact), which is one of the annoyances I have with box stores…they seem to stock something you like for a while, then it mysteriously vanishes. So, I was thinking of dividing them since they’ve gotten so flush, but since I had never done it, I was unsure of what technique would work best. So, thanks for the explanation on doing so!