7 Best Perennials To Divide In Fall: Clone Favorite Plants And Boost Bloom Rates

Dividing perennials is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate your garden, propagate your favorite plants, and improve bloom rates. Fall is the perfect time for this gardening task because the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall provide ideal conditions for root development. By dividing perennials in autumn, you’re giving your plants a head start for the next growing season. Here are seven of the best perennials to divide in fall, along with tips for doing it right.

1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are among the easiest and most rewarding perennials to divide. Since they adapt well to a wide variety of conditions, they often form large clumps, which can crowd out neighboring plants and reduce bloom production.

How to Divide:

  1. Dig up the entire clump using a garden fork or spade.
  2. Shake off excess soil and gently separate the roots by hand or with a sharp knife.
  3. Replant the divisions immediately, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart.

Benefits:

Dividing daylilies every 3-5 years promotes healthier plants and more vibrant blooms. Plus, you’ll have extra plants to share or expand your garden.

2. Hostas

Hostas are a must-have in the shade garden, with tremendous foliage. As they get older, they can become pot-bound, with less vigor and leaves that are smaller in size.

How to Divide:

  1. Dig around the plant, lifting the whole clump out of the soil.
  2. Cut the clump up into smaller sections with a sharp knife or spade, ensuring each section has at least one growing point (or “eye”).
  3. They must be planted at the same depth as the mother plant.

Benefits:

They are divided every 4-5 years so they are healthy, and also in order not to overcrowd the plants. That can be also a very effective method for reproduction of one species of flowers within a garden.

3. Irises

Irises divide extremely well in the fall, but they are especially good with bearded irises. Generally, if these plants are not divided for a long time, they become much more prone to some types of diseases, specifically rhizome rot.

Division Technique:

  1. Dig up the rhizomes, then cut back the foliage to about 6 inches.
  2. Check for signs of rot or damage and remove the diseased parts.
  3. Cut healthy rhizomes into sections, each having a fan of leaves and healthy roots.
  4. Replant with the top of the rhizome just above soil level.

Benefits:

Divide regularly every 3-4 years to keep irises disease-free and in bloom profusely.

4. Peonies

Peonies are long-lived perennials that rarely need division, but doing so can rejuvenate older plants or create new ones.

How to Divide:

  1. Dig up the plant gently because peony roots are delicate.
  2. Wash off the soil to reveal the root system.
  3. Using a sharp knife, cut the crown into sections, each with 3-5 “eyes” (buds).
  4. Plant divisions so that the eyes are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.

Benefits:

Divide peonies every 10-15 years to rejuvenate aging plants and to have new plants for your garden or to give to friends.

5. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedums, especially the taller varieties like ‘Autumn Joy,’ can become leggy and not so energetic if not divided annually.

How to Divide

  1. Dig out the clump and clean off much of the soil.
  2. Separate the stems and roots by hand or with a knife.
  3. Plant divisions, planting them about 12-18 inches apart.

Benefits

Divide sedums every 3-4 years to keep them compact and make sure they put on a strong display of flowers.

6. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are one of the favorites among pollinators and gardeners. Division in the fall will help maintain the health and vigor of these plants.

How to Divide:

  1. Dig up the entire plant, gently shake off the soil.
  2. Divide the root ball using a sharp knife or spade into sections.
  3. Replant divisions at the same depth as the original plant.

Benefits:

Division every 3-5 years will encourage better bloom production and prevent overcrowding.

7. Yarrow (Achillea)

Yarrow is a hardy perennial crop distinguished by feathery foliage and colorful clusters of blooms. It can become invasive or lose its vigor if not divided in the end.

How to Divide

  1. Dig up the clump and separate it into smaller sections by hand or knife.
  2. Replant divisions in well-drained soil, spacing them about 12-18 inches apart.

Benefits

It will be necessary to divide yarrow regularly every 3-4 years to keep it healthy and prevent it from taking over your garden.

General Fall Tips for Dividing Perennials

Timing: Divide perennials 4-6 weeks before the first hard frost so they have time to develop their roots.

Preparation: Water plants a day or two in advance of dividing to make digging easier and to minimize stress on the roots.

Tools: Use sharp clean tools to minimize damage and to prevent any disease.

Replant: Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil for the new divisions.

Aftercare: Drench the newly planted divisions well and mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Conclusion

Fall division is a simple and great gardening habit to produce healthy plants, more blooms, and a vigorous garden. There are seven outstanding candidates for being divided during the fall: propagate daylilies, rejuvenate peonies, or perhaps control yarrow. Careful and proper timing will show in spring when the garden reaps its benefits.

Related Posts

Experts Reveal The Top 3 Reasons Seeds and Seedlings Fail – And Offer Solutions

Though gardening can indeed be a very rewarding experience, not all goes well. One of the most frustrating moments for any gardener would be seeing seeds fail to sprout or…

22 Plants To Propagate From Cuttings In August – And How To Ensure They Thrive

Growing plants from cuttings is a cost-effective and fulfilling means of expanding your garden. August is a very opportune month with warm temperatures and plenty of humidity, so many plants…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Edible Herb Gardens: Tips For Growing A Culinary Herb Garden

Edible Herb Gardens: Tips For Growing A Culinary Herb Garden

Hazelnut Growing: How To Grow Filbert And Hazelnut Trees

Hazelnut Growing: How To Grow Filbert And Hazelnut Trees

Sweet Flag Care: Tips For Growing Sweet Flag Grass

Sweet Flag Care: Tips For Growing Sweet Flag Grass

Pergola Climbing Plants – Easy-Care Plants And Vines For Pergola Structures

Pergola Climbing Plants – Easy-Care Plants And Vines For Pergola Structures

Common Types Of Holly Shrubs: Learn About Different Holly Plant Varieties

Common Types Of Holly Shrubs: Learn About Different Holly Plant Varieties

Tips For How To Kill English Ivy

Tips For How To Kill English Ivy