As the cool days of fall approach, many gardeners shift their attention from summer blooms to preparing their gardens for the colder months ahead.
One of the most important tasks to complete before winter is dividing your perennials.
This simple process helps your plants thrive, ensures they don’t become overcrowded, and encourages more vibrant growth come spring.
If you want healthier and more vigorous plants next season, it’s time to divide now. Here’s why you should divide perennials in the fall and which ones to prioritize.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Divide Perennials?
Dividing perennials before winter offers several benefits. During the fall, temperatures are cooler, which means plants experience less stress when transplanted.
Dividing also helps improve the health of your plants.
Over time, perennials can become crowded, leading to smaller flowers and weaker growth.
Dividing them gives each plant more room to absorb nutrients, water, and sunlight, which leads to more robust growth and vibrant blooms the following year.
7 Perennials to Divide Before Winter
1. Hostas
Hostas are one of the most popular perennials for shade gardens, known for their lush, green foliage. Over time, hostas can become crowded and need dividing to maintain their full, bushy appearance. Divide them every three to five years to promote vigorous growth and prevent overcrowding.
2. Daylilies
Daylilies are easy to grow and bloom abundantly, but they can become overcrowded if left unchecked. Dividing them every three to four years helps maintain healthy plants and encourages a more robust bloom cycle. This is a great way to keep your daylilies looking their best year after year.
3. Irises
Irises produce beautiful, intricate blooms but can start to decline if their rhizomes become too crowded. Dividing irises every three to five years helps keep them healthy and blooming. It’s best to do this in the fall, as it gives the plants time to establish before winter sets in.
4. Peonies
Peonies can grow in the same spot for many years without much attention, but occasionally they need to be divided to prevent overcrowding. Dividing peonies every five to ten years helps rejuvenate older plants and improves their flower production.
5. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm is a colorful, pollinator-friendly plant that can quickly spread and become invasive. Dividing bee balm every two to three years keeps it under control and prevents overcrowding, allowing for more healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
6. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susans are tough, hardy perennials that can spread rapidly if left unchecked. Dividing them every three to four years helps prevent overcrowding and encourages a fuller display of their cheerful yellow blooms.
7. Shasta Daisies
Shasta daisies are a classic garden perennial that can benefit from dividing every two to three years. Over time, they can become leggy and produce fewer blooms. Dividing them regularly keeps them compact and helps maintain their vigorous blooming.
How to Properly Divide Perennials?
Dividing perennials is a straightforward process, but it’s important to do it correctly to ensure the plants remain healthy.
Start by carefully digging up the plant, making sure to get as much of the root system as possible.
Gently shake off excess soil so you can see the roots clearly. Use a sharp knife or spade to divide the root clump into smaller sections, making sure each section has a healthy amount of roots and shoots.
Once divided, replant the new sections in well-prepared soil, making sure to space them out appropriately.
Water thoroughly to help the roots establish, and consider adding a layer of mulch to protect the plants as they settle into their new homes. Now that you know how to divide, let’s explore which perennials should be tackled first.
Benefits of Dividing Perennials
Dividing perennials isn’t just about maintaining plant health—it can also save you money. By dividing your plants, you create new sections that can be planted elsewhere in your garden or shared with friends and neighbors. It’s an easy way to fill in bare spots or expand your garden without purchasing new plants.
Dividing also encourages better airflow between plants, reducing the risk of disease and pests. When perennials become overcrowded, they can create humid environments that are ideal for fungal growth and pest infestations. By dividing and spacing them out, you improve the overall health of your garden.
Final Preparations Before Winter
Once you’ve divided your perennials, make sure to water them thoroughly to help the roots establish before the ground freezes. Mulching around the base of the plants is also a good idea, as it provides insulation and helps retain moisture during the colder months. By dividing your perennials before winter hits, you’re setting your garden up for success come spring. The effort you put in now will reward you with healthier, more vibrant plants next season.
In conclusion, dividing perennials in the fall is an essential task that will keep your garden thriving year after year. So, grab your gardening tools and get started before the first frost arrives!
