Gardening With Brenda

Divide and Conquer

By Brenda Powell

The naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna) didn’t bloom last year. So in early August when I happened to spot the clusters of crowded bulbs I decided to divide them, hoping this would help increase their blooming. I love herbaceous perennials (peonies, daylilies, hostas, hardy geraniums) and bulbs, and many fill my garden, some new and some planted by my

dad. Many of these really need to be divided as they’ve become crowded. The plant gains vigor and flowering increases, although sometimes the first year after dividing they don’t bloom quite as well. Plus, you have more plants to relocate in your garden or give to friends and family.

Dividing is best done when the plant is dormant (usually this is when the plant has no foliage). For most perennials this is late autumn to early spring. Fleshy rooted or less hardy plants are best divided in early spring (Agapanthus). Of course there are exceptions such as bearded iris, which you divide in mid-summer. Some plants like grasses and ferns are best in early spring. A little research may be necessary.

How to divide: Dig up the plant and shake off excess soil. Separate into sections using a garden fork, spade, a sharp knife or even your hands. (The hori hori weeder knife works great). It’s important that each section has good roots and several new shoots or growing points. If the plant is too large to dig in one clump, you could dig up manageable-sized portions of the plant and follow the above protocol. Discard any portion that looks damaged, bad, or really old. Replant the rest right away at the same soil depth of the original plant and water them in. That may be where the original plant was or a new location. Also, you may pot up extras or smaller pieces in good potting or garden soil and grow on until they’re larger or you find a new home for them. Just remember to protect them if we have a cold spell or you live in a harsh winter climate. A cold frame or unheated greenhouse would work for that. If you divide and cut up rhizomes (like bearded iris) they can be sanitized with a 10% bleach solution and left to dry before replanting. Sulfur fungicide dust is another option.

It seems that the failure to bloom may be a watering issue. I’ve been watering the area with a sprinkler because I added new plants nearby. As I write this the naked ladies are in their scented, pink glory. Now I have my work cut out for me this fall and spring with grasses, daylilies, iris and more to divide. At least it gets me out of the house. Happy gardening.

Brenda

www.garlandnursery.com

Brenda Powell is a fourth generation owner of Garland Nursery in Corvallis.

Follow her writing at garlandnursery.wordpress.com