Refresh your garden for healthier blooms next year
At Fran’s Flowers, we believe fall gardening is just as rewarding as spring planting. One of the most impactful (and often overlooked) ways to rejuvenate your garden is by dividing your perennials. Over time, many plants grow into dense clumps that can crowd themselves out, leading to fewer blooms and tired-looking foliage. Dividing gives your garden a fresh start—and it’s easier than you might think!
Why Divide Perennials?
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Promotes healthier growth by giving roots room to breathe
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Increases flowering and improves plant vigor
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Controls size and keeps aggressive spreaders in check
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Gives you more plants—perfect for filling gaps or sharing with friends!
When Should You Divide?
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Spring-blooming perennials (like iris or peonies): Divide in fall, after they’ve finished their season and started to go dormant.
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Late-summer and fall bloomers (like daylilies or coneflowers): Divide in spring, just as new growth emerges.
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A good rule of thumb: divide every 3–5 years or when you notice a bare center, reduced flowering, or plants flopping open.
How to Divide in 4 Easy Steps
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Dig up the clump: Use a spade or fork to carefully lift the entire plant out of the soil.
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Separate the sections: Use a sharp knife, garden fork, or even your hands to pull apart healthy sections with roots attached.
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Amend and replant: Add compost to the soil and replant divisions right away, keeping them well-watered as they settle in.
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Share the love: Bring extras to friends or swap with fellow gardeners—your garden generosity is always in bloom!
Pro Tip from Fran’s
Hostas, daylilies, black-eyed Susans, and coreopsis are some of the easiest perennials to divide—perfect for beginners! Stop by Fran’s Flowers if you’re unsure which plants are ready for division or want help identifying what’s what in your garden beds.
Whether you’re dividing to manage size or multiply your garden favorites, fall is the ideal time to dig in. Your plants will thank you next year with bigger, better blooms.