Sunday, May 16, 2010

Dividing perennials?

Can you only divide perennials in the spring or fall? I've got some now -- balloon flower, chives and a peony which only had one flower on it this year -- which need dividing. The balloon flower is about to bloom, the chives have already bloomed and the peony only had one flower. Do I have to wait until next spring or fall to divide them? They're kind of unsightly as they aren't growing in the middle. Thanks!

Dividing perennials?
The spring is an ideal time but if they are bare in the center and don't look that great, there would be nothing wrong with dividing them up know. Just be sure to keep them well watered and fertilized.
Reply:Hello Zone 5! The best time to divide perennials is when they are creeping up in your lovely garden. However, I have had many instances mid-season that I have divided, and have been successful. Perennials are resiliant in our zone. Chives thrive all the time and take over my garden - so any time is good. Peonies usually are best divided after they bloom. My thing is move them when they overpower - leave them if not.
Reply:For best results, divide plants in spring or fall


The best time for division sometimes depends on the type of plant being divided (see Techniques for Dividing Perennials). Ornamental grasses respond better to spring division, while astilbes, irises, and peonies are partial to fall division. The area of the country you live in may also dictate the best time of the year to divide perennials. In areas that experience early frosts and harsh winter weather, plants divided in fall may not have enough time to establish roots before the ground freezes, and may be subject to frost heave. To safeguard against that, spring division and transplanting is the only option. Gardeners in warmer climes have more options for dividing and transplanting because of the longer growing season.





And although some perennials can be divided at any time during the growing season in a pinch, no matter what area of country you're in, it's best not to divide during the hot summer months or when plants are channeling all their energy into foliage and flower growth. Early spring and early fall are the best times of the year to divide perennials to provide transplants with enough time to devote to root growth before the hot or cold weather sets in. http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pag...
Reply:I'd leave the balloon flower alone, but you should be okay to divide the others. This early in the season, they will have plenty of time to strengthen for the winter.
Reply:the rule of them when dividing perenials is, early or spring bloomers need to be divided in the fall, and summer of early fall bloomers can be done in the spring. i have personally divided everythng in my garden at completely the inappropriate time, and they all survived, but didnt bloom that year. good luck


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