Mature clumps of summer and fall blooming perennials can tend to outgrow their space and not bloom or perform as vigorously as they should. Now is the time to dig up and divide these clumps.
Because of all the rain we've had, the ground is moist and easy to dig. Get a sharp spade or sharpshooter shovel and just cut through these clumps, dig up the sections, and replant.
It is as easy as that-don't worry about slicing through a few ...roots, as these will quickly regrow in their new location.
Some summer and fall blooming perennials that can be divided this way include: Shasta daisies, beebalm, goldenrod, hostas, ornamental grasses, perennial sunflowers, rudbeckias, yarrow, asters, and garden phlox.
If you do it now before active growth really gets going, you won't interrupt the bloom period, and the new babies will have time to settle in and grow new roots before the really warm weather hits. Plus you will be multiplying your plants. If you have a lot of plants to dig up and divide, you might be able to lure a friend to help by offering to share the divisions with him/her.
Avoid dividing the spring bloomers like iris, peony, thrift, verbena, and candytuft. These are better divided in late summer or fall. If you just can't help yourself, just remember that, depending on the stage of growth, you may hinder this spring's bloom cycle.
Taking care of the business of overcrowding or decline in the summer and fall blooming perennials now will make your plants healthier and you happier when you are rewarded for your efforts with blooms galore later in the season.
