Simple and fast method for dividing

Division, the act of dividing a plant into sections, each with roots and shoots ready to grow on, is a simple and fast method of propagation.

Whenever I see an herbaceous perennial that appeals, growing in a pot and for sale, thoughts flip beyond the price to its potential for offspring. It is the nature of such plants to increase outward year on year, so as the centre becomes woody over time, the peripheral parts always represent youth and vigour. Go for these.

Either use a spade to chop sections from the outer edge while the plant remains in situ, or dig the whole plant up and dissect it, discarding the central area. Some perennials are easily teased apart with the hands but those raised with a solid mass demand stronger action. Try driving the tines of two garden forks, back-to-back, into the centre of a plant, then force the respective handles outward to gain leverage. Alternatively, use a large knife or saw with caution. But few plants can resist the sharp blade of a spade.!

Be wary of must-have plants. Those you occasionally see and buy on the spot in a knee jerk reaction, then discover later that they’re more vigorous than anticipated.

For ornamental border plant read – invasive weed in disguise. Worse still, you’ve by then become attached to it and decide just to leave a small section during the clear out process.

Helianthemum ‘Lemon

Queen’ is one such plant for me. Euphorbia robbiae is another. Golden oregano is yet another, spreading and self-seeding everywhere.

Seeds from two groups of chives on an island vegetable bed are attempting to colonise every joint in the paved pathway.

But this is one problem that can be resolved at source now we can dig the parents up, divide the bulbs into small bundles and pot them up for the next charitable plant stall!