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Divide & Conquer: When and How to Divide Perennials

Posted on by sunrise-sixteen
10
Jul

Refresh Overgrown Clumps Now for Healthier Plants Next Year

As summer marches on, your garden may be showing signs that some plants are outgrowing their space — or underperforming altogether. If your favorite perennials aren’t blooming like they used to, or if they’re overcrowding nearby plants, it might be time to divide and conquer!

At Sixteen Acres Garden Center, we’re here to walk you through why, when, and how to divide perennials so you can refresh your garden now and enjoy even more blooms next season.

🌿 Why Divide Perennials?

Dividing perennials helps:

  • Rejuvenate tired plants that bloom less or have thinning centers

  • Improve air circulation to reduce disease

  • Control size and spread

  • Create more plants for free!

📅 When Is the Best Time to Divide?

For most perennials in the Springfield, MA area, division is best done:

  • Late summer to early fall (August–September) for spring- and early-summer bloomers like iris, daylilies, astilbe, and hostas

  • Early spring for late-blooming perennials like black-eyed Susan, aster, or ornamental grasses

➡️ Rule of thumb: Divide after bloom. If it flowers in spring, divide in fall. If it flowers in fall, divide in spring.

✂️ How to Divide Perennials: Step-by-Step

  1. Water the plant a day before dividing — hydrated roots are easier to handle.

  2. Dig up the entire plant, going wide to protect the root system.

  3. Gently separate the clump by hand or with a sharp knife or spade. Each new piece should have roots and healthy growth.

  4. Replant immediately, spacing them properly and watering well.

  5. Add compost or a root starter to give them a healthy boost.

🌸 What to Divide Now?

August and early September are ideal for dividing:

  • Daylilies

  • Hostas

  • Bee Balm (Monarda)

  • Iris

  • Phlox

  • Shasta Daisy

  • Lamb’s Ear

Don’t divide hydrangeas, peonies, or woody perennials — they don’t respond well to division and are best left alone unless you’re transplanting with care.

Need Help? Just Ask!

Not sure what to divide or when to move it? Bring a photo or a plant sample to Sixteen Acres Garden Center, and our team will guide you.

And don’t forget — our free app is full of seasonal tips, care reminders, and exclusive savings to help you keep your garden at its best year-round.

📲 Download the Sixteen Acres Garden Center App

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