FLOWERS
STEP BY STEP How to divide kniphofias
WHAT TO DO NOW
You can give large herbaceous perennials a new lease of life by dividing the clump, removing the old sections and replanting the smaller, most vigorous pieces. Now is the best time time to do this with fleshy-rooted perennials such as kniphofias, hostas, daylilies, delphiniums and agapanthus. The new plants will grow away quickly at this time of year, and it’s a good opportunity to remove perennial weed roots from the border too.
WORDS: ROSIE YEOMANS
1
1CUT around the clump with a spade, treading the whole depth of the blade into the ground to loosen the roots. Lever up the spade, making more cuts if it resists, then lift the whole clump out of the ground.
2
2 DIVIDE the clump into several smaller pieces by carefully cutting vertically through it with your spade, between the new shoots. Make sure each new piece has several shoots and roots. Discard any broken pieces.