In autumn, the planting and propagation time for many shrubs is ideal as the ground is still warm and the new shrubs will grow well at their new place in the garden. The deviding process rejuvenates the shrubs so that they will flower abundantly and grow strongly.
Shrubs which need to be devided usually have new shoots which stick out. Moreover, the shrubs get bald in the centre of the plants and do not carry many flowers. Being placed at the right place, flowers and shrubs will enhance your garden if being taken care of well.
Before starting to divide your shrubs, they need to be cut down to approximately a hand above the ground. After that, dig out your shrubs with a spade or a spading fork. This can be done more easily if you move the rootstock back and forth with a tool. Smaller flowers or shrubs can also be devided with a knife or even with the hands. When the rootstock is dug out, the roots are devided with the spade or the hands into one or more parts. The old roots should be cut off.
When deviding, make sure that each new part has a drive bud and also sufficient roots to be able to grow. Having planted the roots into their new spot, do not forget to water them well. In general, smaller parts grow more easily to strong shrubs as bigger parts of the devided shrubs.
Of course, such a rejuvenating cure is not necessary each year. The deviding intervals depend on the age of the shrubs and also on how well they still blossom. Ephemeral and short-lived shrubs like Coreopsis need to be devided approximately every four to six years. Long-life shrubs, like Echinacea, should be devided every eight to ten years.
If you have devided your shrubs correctly and taken good care of them, they will bloom richly in the next season and give you a wonderful garden in beautiful colours.
