As the summer heat begins to wane, August presents an ideal opportunity for gardeners to divide and replant their perennials. This essential gardening task not only helps maintain the health and vigor of your plants but also allows you to expand your garden with minimal cost. By carefully dividing and replanting perennials, you can ensure they continue to thrive and produce beautiful blooms for years to come.

Why Divide Perennials?
Perennials are plants that return year after year, and while this makes them a low-maintenance option, it also means they can become overcrowded and less productive over time.

Here’s why dividing them is beneficial:

• Revitalize Growth: Over time, perennials can become congested, leading to smaller blooms and weaker plants. Dividing them gives the roots more room to grow, resulting in healthier plants with more vigorous flowering.
• Prevent Disease: Dense clumps of perennials can create a humid environment that fosters disease. Dividing and replanting helps improve air circulation around the plants, reducing the risk of fungal infections and other diseases.
• Expand Your Garden: Dividing perennials is a cost-effective way to increase the number of plants in your garden. You can use the divisions to fill in gaps, create new beds, or share them with friends and neighbors.
• Encourage Better Blooming: Many perennials benefit from regular division to maintain their bloom production. Plants like irises, daylilies, and hostas, for instance, bloom more profusely when divided every few years.

When to Divide Perennials
August is an excellent time to divide many perennials, especially those that bloom in the spring and early summer. By dividing them now, you give the plants time to establish their roots before winter sets in. This helps ensure they’ll be ready to thrive and bloom come spring.

However, it’s important to note that not all perennials should be divided in August. Late summer and fall-blooming perennials are best divided in early spring or after they’ve finished blooming.

How to Divide and Replant Perennials

Dividing perennials may seem daunting, but with the right technique, it’s a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Choose the Right Time: Ideally, divide perennials on a cool, cloudy day to reduce stress on the plants. Early morning or late afternoon is best.
• Prepare the Plant: Water the plant thoroughly a day before you plan to divide it. This ensures the roots are well-hydrated and makes the process easier.
• Dig Up the Plant: Carefully dig around the plant to avoid damaging the roots. Lift the entire clump out of the ground, keeping as much soil around the roots as possible.
• Divide the Clump: Depending on the plant, you can divide the clump by hand, with a sharp spade, or using garden forks. Aim to keep several healthy shoots and a good portion of roots with each division.
• By Hand: Gently pull apart smaller clumps, such as those of daylilies or hostas.
• With a Spade: For larger or tougher roots, use a sharp spade to cut the clump into sections.
• Using Garden Forks: Insert two garden forks back-to-back into the clump and gently pry it apart.
• Replant Immediately: Plant the divisions as soon as possible. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots, set the plant at the same depth it was growing before, and fill in with soil. Water thoroughly to help the plant settle in.
• Aftercare: Keep the newly divided plants well-watered, especially during dry spells, until they establish. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Which Perennials to Divide in August
Some perennials are particularly well-suited to division in late summer. These include:

• Irises: Divide irises every 3-5 years after they finish blooming. Cut the rhizomes into sections, ensuring each has a fan of leaves and healthy roots.
• Daylilies: Daylilies can become crowded quickly. Divide them every 3-4 years for better flowering.
• Hostas: Hostas can be divided to manage their size or to create new plants for other parts of the garden.
• Sedum: Sedum, especially the taller varieties, benefit from division to prevent overcrowding.
• Peonies: While peonies are best divided in early fall, August can still work if the weather is cool.

Tips for Successful Division

• Work Quickly: The quicker you divide and replant, the less stress the plant will endure.
• Keep Roots Moist: If you can’t replant immediately, keep the roots moist by wrapping them in damp burlap or placing them in a shaded area.
• Label Your Divisions: It’s easy to lose track of what’s what, so label your divisions, especially if you’re sharing with others.

Conclusion
Dividing and replanting perennials in August is a key gardening task that pays off with healthier plants and more vibrant gardens. Whether you’re rejuvenating an old flower bed or expanding your garden, taking the time to divide your perennials will ensure they continue to flourish for years to come. With a little effort now, you’ll be rewarded with a garden that looks fresh and full of life when spring arrives.