Dividing and transplanting perennials is one of my favorite spring rituals—it breathes new life into crowded clumps and rewards you with healthier, more vigorous blooms all season long! It’s such a bummer when overcrowded plants sulk, sending up fewer flowers or looking straggly. By tackling division before late spring, when shoots are still young and roots haven’t gone too deep, you set your garden up for success and avoid the burnout of summer heat.
I know how nerve‑wracking it can be to yank a beloved plant from the soil—after all, you’ve nurtured it through frost and flourished stems! But trust me: with the right timing and technique, you’ll be rewarded with two (or more!) robust specimens ready to spread their beauty. Let’s dive into eleven of my go‑to perennials, each chosen for reliability, ornamental appeal, and compatibility with early‑season division.
Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are a staple of shady borders, prized for their lush foliage in every shade from chartreuse to deep emerald. Native to Northeast Asia, these clump‑forming plants rarely become invasive in North American gardens—though some vigorous cultivars can overtake small beds if left unchecked. Hostas also provide excellent shelter and nesting sites for ground‑nesting bees and beneficial insects seeking cool, damp refuges!
To divide, wait until shoots are a few inches tall but before the leaves fully unfurl. Lift the entire clump carefully with a garden fork, gently tease apart sections of at least four eyes (growing points), and replant at the same depth in enriched soil. Divided hostas establish quickly, filling in shady spots with renewed vigor and giving you extra plants to share with fellow gardeners!
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Peonies are the showstoppers of early summer, boasting enormous, fragrant blooms in hues of pink, white, and red. Native to Asia and parts of Europe, herbaceous peonies are well‑behaved in most gardens and seldom invasive thanks to their slow natural spread. I’m always thrilled to see ants flock to the flower buds—those little critters indicate perfect bloom timing and add a charming, if slightly ticklish, garden moment!
Late winter to early spring, just as the “eyes” (buds) are popping through the soil, is prime time to divide peonies. Carefully lift the root mass, use a sharp knife to section it into pieces with at least three to five eyes each, and dust cuts with horticultural charcoal to prevent rot. Replanted peonies may take a season to bloom again fully, but their robust root systems reward patience with decades of stunning floral displays.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia × grandiflora)
Blanket flower, a hybrid between North American species, dazzles with fiery red‑and‑yellow daisy‑like blooms that persist from early summer to frost. Although some Gaillardia species can self‑seed, they rarely escape confines or become invasive. Butterflies and native bees adore blanket flowers, often perching atop the open crowns to sip nectar and pollinate surrounding blooms!
Divide blanket flowers in early spring, when new foliage is just emerging. Dig around the clump, lift it gently, and slice into sections with firm shoots and healthy roots. Replant divisions in well‑drained soil and full sun; they’ll reward you with fresh blooms and a neat habit, and you’ll have extra plants to fill bare spots or share at your next plant swap!
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflower is native to the central and eastern United States and celebrated for its long‑lasting, drooping petals around a spiny central cone. It’s not considered invasive, though it may self‑sow sparingly in ideal conditions. Coneflowers are butterfly magnets—swallowtails and painted ladies flock to their nectar, and small birds later feast on the raised seed heads!
To divide, aim for early spring just as shoots rise, before the plant expends energy on summer blooms. Lift the entire clump, use a sharp spade to cut sections with at least three shoots each, and replant promptly. Divided echinacea establish quickly, ensuring abundant blooms and stronger stems that resist flopping in summer storms.
Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Astilbes are shade‑garden gems, flaunting feathery plumes in pinks, whites, and reds atop fern‑like foliage. Native to Asia and North America, most astilbes behave well in garden settings and don’t escape into wild areas. Their dense leaves also offer cover for ground‑dwelling pollinators and tiny amphibians, creating a micro‑habitat at the garden’s cool edge!
Divide astilbes in early spring when the ground is workable and new shoots are 2–3 inches high. Carefully lift the tuft, shave off outer sections with firm crowns, and replant divisions at the same depth as before. With division, astilbes regain their compact habit and reward you with plumper flower spikes and beautifully balanced form.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Shasta daisies, a hybrid derived from European species, light up borders with classic white petals surrounding bright yellow centers. They’re generally non‑invasive, though occasional self‑sowing can occur in rich soils. I love spotting solitary solitary bees nesting at the base of mature clumps—those daisies offer perfect foraging grounds and nesting materials!
For division, target early spring as the first leaves unfold. Dig up the sturdy rootball, then slice into sections each containing a few growing points and healthy roots. Replant in full sun with well‑drained soil; your new daisy divisions will bloom heavily and maintain the tidy, mound‑shaped habit Shastas are known for.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral bells are prized for their ornate, scalloped leaves in a spectrum of jewel tones—from burgundy to chartreuse—topped with delicate flower spikes that attract hummingbirds and bees. Native to North America, they’re not invasive, and their evergreen foliage often provides winter interest. I can’t resist running my fingers over those velvet‑like leaves—they’re a gardener’s tactile treat!
Divide heucheras in early spring before flowers appear. Lift the entire clump gently, and use a sharp spade or knife to separate sections with at least five healthy crowns. Replant divisions at the same soil depth and water in well; newly divided coral bells quickly reestablish and bring renewed color to shady garden pockets.
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox, native to eastern North America, offers fragrant clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers that are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds. While it can spread, it isn’t typically invasive when given proper air circulation and occasional division. The sweet scent wafting through the border on summer evenings always reminds me why I can’t garden without phlox!
In early spring, when new shoots are visible but before they elongate, lift the clump and gently pry apart sections with multiple buds. Replant divisions in full sun to part shade, ensuring good spacing to prevent powdery mildew. Divided phlox bloom more vigorously, with stronger stems that stand tall through summer storms.
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Bearded iris, native to the Mediterranean region, delight with their intricate blooms in blues, golds, and purples. They spread via rhizomes but rarely become invasive if you keep them trimmed and divided every three to five years. Early in my gardening days, I overlooked iris crowds and ended up with weak, floppy stalks—an easy lesson in the power of division!
Divide irises in early spring once the leaves reach 4–6 inches tall. Lift the rhizome clusters, shake off excess soil, and cut apart pieces with healthy fans and no signs of rot. Trim foliage back by half to reduce water loss, space divisions in sun‑soaked, well‑drained beds, and water lightly until new roots form. Your irises will reward you with larger, more vibrant blooms and a refreshed clumping habit!
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies, originating from Asia but extensively hybridized worldwide, boast sturdy strap‑like leaves and trumpet‑shaped flowers in every imaginable hue. They’re vigorous but generally non‑invasive in most temperate gardens. I love spotting honeybees nesting near daylily clumps; the plants’ foliage offers both shelter and foraging territory for these vital pollinators!
To divide, wait until new fans are at least 6 inches tall in early spring. Dig around the clump, lift it up, and gently pry individual fans apart, ensuring each division has healthy roots and a fan of leaves. Replant promptly in amended soil, and water deeply; newly divided daylilies establish quickly and burst into bloom by midsummer, filling gaps with fresh foliage.
Sedum (Stonecrop, Sedum spp.)
Sedums encompass a wide range of succulents, from low‐growing groundcovers to upright varieties like ‘Autumn Joy.’ Many are native to North America and Eurasia and are not invasive, thriving in well‐drained soils where other perennials struggle. Their fleshy leaves are perfect water reservoirs, and their late‐season blooms provide crucial nectar for butterflies gearing up for migration!
Divide sedums in early spring, before flowering spikes develop. Carefully lift clumps, and either chop into sections with a sharp spade or gently tease apart by hand, keeping clusters of fleshy roots intact. Replant divisions in sun‐filled beds or rock gardens; they’ll quickly fill out, ensuring a robust groundcover or mid‐border accent that looks great summer through fall.
