By Jessica Pittman
September has brought with it a beautiful fall season, giving us plenty of opportunity to be in the garden.
Fall is the best time of the year for dividing spring and summer blooming perennials, which is an easy and inexpensive way to make your garden multiply.
Perennials spread rapidly but are easily controlled by dividing and replanting. Dividing the plants allows them to rejuvenate and remain strong.
Spring and summer perennials are divided after they have finished blooming for the season, so the plant’s energy can be used to promote root and leaf growth. Most perennials need to be divided every three to five years; some must be divided every one to two years, or they will crowd themselves into non-flowering clumps of leaves and roots. Some perennials don’t ever have to be divided; if the plant is growing and blooming well, it can be left alone unless more plants are desired.
Perennials should be divided if the flowers on the plant are smaller than normal, the center of the clump is hollow and dead, or the bottom foliage is sparse and poor.
Detailed instructions on what plants may or may not be divided and what to do before, during, and after dividing perennials are found at http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/flowers/hgic1150.html. This information is also available at your local Clemson Extension Service.
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