Tag: perennials

How to Lift and Divide Perennials

Are your garden beds feeling a little overcrowded? Have your beloved plants stopped flowering as they used to? If so, it might be time to roll up your sleeves, grab your trusty tools, and learn the art of lifting and dividing perennials. This guide will walk you through it from start to finish, making the process enjoyable and rewarding.

What is a Perennial?

First things first—what exactly is a perennial? Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, returning stronger and lusher every season. Unlike annuals that need to be replanted each year, perennials are your garden’s reliable workhorses, gracing your outdoor space with repeating cycles of blooms, foliage and beauty. Popular examples include daylilies, hostas, peonies and irises.

How to Know When a Perennial Needs to Be Lifted and Divided

It’s not always obvious when your perennials need some love, but a little observation will give you all the clues you need. Here’s when it’s time to act:

  • Overcrowding: If the plant has expanded and is encroaching on its neighbours, it’s a good indicator.
  • Declining Blooms: Have the flowers become fewer or smaller than they used to be?
  • Dead Centres: If the middle of the plant looks sparse while the growth is concentrated on the edges, it’s crying out for division.
  • Stunted Growth: If the plant seems stagnant despite your TLC, it might need some extra room to thrive.

Why Lift and Divide?

You might wonder—why go through the trouble? Lifting and dividing perennials isn’t just for the aesthetics; it’s a vital gardening practice. Here’s why it’s worth your time and effort:

Benefits

  • Rejuvenation: Dividing gives the plant new energy, encouraging healthier growth and more vibrant blooms.
  • Space Optimisation: Overgrown perennials crowd their neighbours, competing for water and nutrients. Division ensures all plants get their fair share.
  • Propagation: One plant becomes several! Divide and conquer to spread beauty across your garden or share with friends.
  • Cost Savings: Gain new plants without spending a single penny—your garden budget will thank you.

Disadvantages

Of course, no process is without its downsides. While this gardening technique is incredibly beneficial, keep these considerations in mind:

  • It requires some physical effort—don’t forget to stretch beforehand!
  • Initial stress on the plant may cause it to take a season or two to reach its full glory again.

But trust us, the long-term gains far outweigh these minor downsides.

Step-by-Step Guide to Lifting and Dividing Perennials

Are you ready to dig in? These simple steps will guide you through the process.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time

The best time to lift and divide perennials is during their dormant phase—either early spring or autumn. This timing minimises plant stress and maximises recovery.

Step 2: Prepare Your Tools

Get your gardening kit ready:

  • A sharp spade or garden fork
  • Gardening gloves
  • A clean knife or pruning shears
  • Compost or organic matter for replanting

Step 3: Dig Up the Plant

Gently dig around the plant, starting a few inches away from the base to avoid damaging roots. Carefully lift the clump from the soil.

Step 4: Divide the Clump

Inspect the root ball and decide how many sections you want to create. Use your hands to pull the clump apart or a knife to cut through tougher roots. Aim for sections with healthy roots and at least one growing shoot.

Step 5: Replant Immediately

Prepare the new planting spots with fresh compost and organic matter. Replant the divided sections at the same depth as before, ensuring the roots are well-covered.

Step 6: Water Thoroughly

Give your newly planted perennials a generous drink of water to help them settle into their new homes. Add mulch around the base for extra protection and moisture retention.

Plants to Leave Alone

Not all perennials benefit from being lifted and divided. Plants with taproots, like lupins and poppies, don’t take kindly to this practice and can suffer damage. Similarly, perennial shrubs like lavender and rosemary are better off left intact.

Nurture Your Garden’s Future

By lifting and dividing perennials, you’re not just improving your garden’s immediate landscape—you’re investing in its long-term health and vibrancy. Imagine a garden bed brimming with thriving perennials, each one a testament to your care and effort.

Now it’s time to grab your gloves, sharpen your tools, and bring new energy to your garden. Transform your outdoor space today and watch your efforts bloom into a lush, colourful paradise! 🌿

Further Reading: The Magic of Perennials

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The Chelsea Chop: Keeping Your Garden Blooming All Summer

Summer is here and if you’re an avid gardener like me, you want to keep your garden looking fresh and vibrant all season long. Thankfully, there’s a method called the “Chelsea Chop” that can help you achieve just that. The Chelsea Chop is a pruning technique that encourages plants to branch out and produce more blooms throughout the summer. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the origins and benefits of the Chelsea Chop and how to implement this technique in your own garden.

The Chelsea Chop got its name from the Chelsea Flower Show in London, where it was first introduced by the Royal Horticultural Society. The technique involves pruning the top one-third of certain herbaceous perennials at the end of May or beginning of June. When this is done, the plant responds by sending out new shoots from the base, creating a bushier and more compact growth habit. This means more flowers and a longer blooming period, providing you with beautiful colour throughout the summer.

Some of the plants that respond well to the Chelsea Chop include asters, rudbeckias, heleniums, phlox, and sedums. You’ll want to avoid doing the Chelsea Chop on plants that only bloom once a year as this can impact their overall health and flower production for the following season. However, for those plants that are repeat bloomers, the Chelsea Chop can do wonders for keeping your garden blooming endlessly.

The benefits of the Chelsea Chop don’t stop at just increasing flower production. This method can also help keep your garden looking healthy and tidy by preventing plants from becoming too leggy or floppy. By pruning them back, you encourage sturdier stems and a stronger overall structure. Furthermore, the Chelsea Chop can be a great way to control the height of certain plants, preventing them from becoming top-heavy and prone to breaking in windy conditions.

Now that you know what the Chelsea Chop is and why it’s beneficial, let’s walk through how to do it. As mentioned before, you’ll want to prune the top one-third of the plant at the end of May or beginning of June. Use clean, sharp shears to make a clean cut and avoid damaging the stem. You’ll want to avoid doing drastic pruning on plants that are already weak or struggling. Instead, it’s best to focus on healthy, thriving plants to get the best results.

The Chelsea Chop is a fantastic pruning technique for any gardener looking to keep their garden blooming all summer long. By encouraging repeat bloomers to branch out and produce more flowers, you’ll have a garden that’s full of life and colour throughout the season. Remember to only use the Chelsea Chop on plants that respond well to this technique and avoid doing any drastic cutting on plants that are already struggling. With a little bit of practice, the Chelsea Chop can become a valuable tool in your gardening arsenal. Happy pruning!

Further Reading: The Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Chop, Chelsea Flower Show

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