Spring is a great time to divide herbaceous perennials. By doing this we can:
- Reduce the size of plants which have become too large for their spot.
- Rejuvenate plants which have become open or woody in the centre.
- Create new plants for free.
This week I have divided an over large Helenium Moerheim Beauty and a Kalimeris. Both these plants have a fibrous root system, which means they can be prised apart using forks placed back to back.
- Dig the plant out of the border
- Push a garden fork into the centre of the plant - this bit can be harder than it looks!
- Push in another garden fork, back to back with the first fork
- Lever the forks apart until the plant breaks apart
- Repeat until you have reduced the plant to the desired size
- Break of any parts of the plant from the woody central crown and discard these bits
- Replant the newly created plants and water well.
- Bestow your friends with free plants
Job done!
