Bump (lol is that a thing here?)

I'd say you can dig them up at any time...just be careful not to spear the tubers. You might set them back from flowering but you won't kill them. I am in zone 2b so I have to dig them up in the Fall and overwinter them inside but they are pretty much carefree for me.

Donna, do you think it's possible to separate them as well? I'd like to spread them out a bit if possible so I don't have just 2 big random bunches

I'm not Donna, but you can spread them out. I would wait until after they flower to move them.

a cursory review of websites indicate it a z8 PLUS plant ... the only thing that might be saving it in your z7 ... is the fact that it is near the house.. creating a micro climate ...

ergo.. if you move it... you might lose it .. are they anywhere else in your yard???

ken

There are some mixed opinions on whether they are hardy to z7 or z8 but I'd like to move them around the corner to the side of the house (which also gets plenty of sun) so hopefully, if it is a micro climate enabling them the winter over, it won't be to big of a change.

So you guys don't think I should try breaking them up now but I can move them and wait to separate until after flowering?

I'm in zone 6b, and they are hardy here.

i just mentioned the risk ... in case someone is risk adverse .. like if it was some heirloom of great grandma ... etc ...

i dont grow these.. but using tulip as an example ...

tulip bulbs are sold in fall .... planted in dormancy in fall.. so they can grow some roots in fall ... and then use that stored energy to put up leaves in spring .. and then flower ..

so if you wanted to do this project you would wait until after flowering ... let the leaves linger to store energy in the bulb and then go dormant ... you could then dig them up and store them like onions.. until fall planting time ... or.. just let them dry for a week or so. and replant them and mark the location ....

sooo with a little help from these peeps.. when are they sold.. when are they planted ... and you could logic it out ... this is my default system for any number of plants ....

all that said.. after they bloom ... just dig out a giant glob of soil ... and move the darn things ... you gottra do.. what you gotta do when you have time to do it.. and if it means stressing them to the point of not flowering this year.. so be it ... your goal is to move them.. not worry about his years flower ...

default to ma natures cycles.. and you usually can ... i wont say beat her ... but you can stay within the odds of succeeding ...

ken