As November rolls in, it could be the perfect time to refresh your garden by dividing and transplanting perennials.
This process not only helps keep your plants healthy and vibrant but also gives you a chance to expand your garden or share plants with friends. With a little effort and care, you’ll have a garden that’s thriving and full of life for years to come.
1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are hardy, low-maintenance perennials known for their vibrant blooms that come in a wide range of colors. They have grass-like foliage and produce flowers that last only a day but are often borne in profusion over several weeks.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best done in early fall (September) or early spring.
- Division: Dig up the clump carefully using a garden fork. Gently separate the roots into smaller sections, ensuring each section has at least one healthy growth point (fan).
- Transplanting: Replant the divided sections immediately. Space them about 18-24 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
2. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are shade-tolerant perennials with attractive foliage that vary from small to large, and come in various shades of green, blue, and gold. They produce tall spikes of flowers in summer, although they are primarily grown for their foliage.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early fall or early spring.
- Division: Dig up the entire clump and separate it into smaller sections using a sharp knife or garden fork. Ensure each section has a good root system and at least one growth bud.
- Transplanting: Replant the divisions in well-drained soil with adequate shade. Space them 18-24 inches apart. Water well and mulch to keep the soil moist and cool.
3. Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Bearded Irises are known for their striking, frilled flowers that come in a range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, and white. They have sword-like leaves and grow from rhizomes (underground stems).
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided after flowering, typically in late summer or early fall.
- Division: Lift the rhizomes from the soil and gently separate them. Trim back any damaged or old rhizomes, and cut back the foliage to about 6 inches.
- Transplanting: Replant the rhizomes so that the top is just above soil level. Space them 12-18 inches apart to allow for spreading. Water thoroughly and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
4. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are succulents with fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers that often bloom in late summer to fall. They are drought-tolerant and come in various forms, from low ground covers to tall upright varieties.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early fall or spring.
- Division: Dig up the clump and separate it into smaller sections using a knife or garden fork. Ensure each section has roots and a healthy shoot.
- Transplanting: Replant the sections in well-drained soil, spacing them about 12-18 inches apart. Water thoroughly and add mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
5. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)
Peonies are beloved for their large, fragrant blooms that come in various colors including pink, red, and white. They have a bushy growth habit and lush green foliage.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early fall after the foliage has died back.
- Division: Lift the entire root ball and separate the tubers with a sharp knife, making sure each piece has at least 3-5 eyes (buds). Remove any damaged or diseased parts.
- Transplanting: Replant the tubers at the same depth they were growing before, with the eyes about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Space them about 24-36 inches apart. Water well and mulch to help with moisture retention and weed control.
6. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Phlox is known for its vibrant, fragrant flowers that bloom in summer. They come in various colors, including pink, red, white, and purple, and have a bushy, upright growth habit.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early fall or early spring.
- Division: Dig up the entire plant and separate the roots into smaller sections, each with a good root system and healthy shoots.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Space the plants 18-24 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to help retain moisture and control weeds.
7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a hardy perennial known for its feathery, fern-like foliage and clusters of small, flat-topped flowers that can be yellow, white, pink, or red. It is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early fall or spring.
- Division: Dig up the clump and gently separate it into smaller sections using a spade or garden fork. Each section should have a good root system and several shoots.
- Transplanting: Replant the divided sections in well-drained soil, spaced about 12-18 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to help retain moisture and control weeds.
8. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-Eyed Susans are cheerful perennials with bright yellow or orange daisy-like flowers and dark brown or black centers. They bloom from mid-summer to fall and are known for their tolerance of a range of soil conditions.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer to early fall.
- Division: Dig up the entire clump and separate it into smaller sections using a sharp knife or garden fork. Each section should have several stems and a portion of the root system.
- Transplanting: Replant the sections in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Space them about 12-18 inches apart. Water well after planting and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
9. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Coreopsis, or tickseed, is known for its bright, daisy-like flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, and pink. It has a bushy growth habit and is appreciated for its long-lasting blooms and ability to attract butterflies.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer.
- Division: Dig up the plant and divide the clump into smaller sections using a spade or knife. Each section should have a healthy root system and some stems.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart. Water thoroughly and apply mulch to help with moisture retention and weed control.
10. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Shasta Daisy is a classic perennial with large, white daisy-like flowers and yellow centers. It has a sturdy, upright growth habit and blooms from summer to early fall. It’s well-suited for a variety of garden styles.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer to early fall.
- Division: Lift the clump and separate the root ball into smaller sections, making sure each section has several shoots and a portion of the root system.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with full sun. Space them about 18-24 inches apart. Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
11. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear is known for its soft, velvety gray-green foliage and spikes of pink or lavender flowers. It’s a low-growing perennial that forms a dense mat and is often used for ground cover or edging.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer.
- Division: Dig up the clump and separate it into smaller sections, making sure each has a healthy root system and a portion of the foliage.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Space the sections about 12-18 inches apart. Water well after planting and mulch to help with moisture retention and weed control.
12. Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
Japanese Anemone is a late-blooming perennial known for its elegant, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white, and its tall, slender stems. It has attractive, deeply lobed foliage that provides interest even after the blooms have faded.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or early fall.
- Division: Dig up the clump and carefully separate it into smaller sections using a spade or garden fork. Each section should have a portion of the root system and some shoots.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with partial to full shade. Space the divisions about 18-24 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
13. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Description: Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial known for its feathery, plume-like flowers that come in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. It has fern-like foliage and is often used in shady garden areas or alongside water features.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer to early fall.
- Division: Dig up the entire clump and separate it into smaller sections using a spade or knife. Each section should have a healthy root system and several shoots.
- Transplanting: Replant in rich, well-drained soil with partial to full shade. Space the sections about 12-18 inches apart. Water well after planting and mulch to keep the soil moist and cool.
14. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Description: Purple Coneflower is a robust perennial with daisy-like flowers that are purple or pink with a distinctive cone-shaped center. It’s known for attracting pollinators and its medicinal properties, as well as its tolerance to drought and poor soil.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in early spring or late summer to early fall.
- Division: Dig up the clump and separate it into smaller sections, making sure each section has a healthy root system and several shoots.
- Transplanting: Replant in well-drained soil with full sun. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart. Water thoroughly and apply mulch to help with moisture retention and weed control.
15. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Description: Siberian Iris is known for its slender, arching leaves and delicate flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, or white. It has a graceful, upright growth habit and is valued for its long-lasting blooms and tolerance of wet conditions.
How to Divide and Transplant:
- Timing: Best divided in late summer to early fall after flowering.
- Division: Lift the clump and carefully separate the rhizomes into smaller sections using a spade or knife. Each section should have several healthy rhizomes and some foliage.
- Transplanting: Replant the sections at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 12-18 inches apart. Water thoroughly and mulch to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Remember to choose the right time, handle your plants carefully, and give them the attention they need as they settle into their new spots.
Note for All Plants: For gardeners in colder climates, November may be a bit late for dividing and transplanting, especially if frost has already arrived. If you haven’t completed these tasks in early fall, consider waiting until early spring to give your perennials the best start in their new spots.
For mild climates, proceed with caution and keep an eye on local weather patterns to ensure a smooth transition for your plants.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.