not normal ...

and notice how the one with more green/blue.. is taller than the rest ..

it has to be dug out .. and the oddball removed... planted separately ...

it is more vigorous.. because it has more green.. to make more chlorophyll.. to make natural plant food .... to grow bigger ...

ken

Well, I see two and I would say yes.

That's what I was afraid of...I went out and looked at it and of course that eye is right in the middle of the plant. I will probably just rip it out. I hate messing with this plant because after 4 unsuccessful attempts with this plant, I finally have got one to grow and it continues to bigger every year. It started from a little plant in a 4" pot and it seems happy where it is planted.

Thanks for the advice!

It certainly is difficult to remove and save the eye if the eye is in the middle. You can always try the ripping out method, trying to get out as much as possible. If it doesn't work, you can do something else another year. I agree that you don't want to mess with a plant like GE!

I suggest that you dig up the entire plant with a garden fork, divide it out into single or double divisions, and remove the oddball divisions. You are more likely to find more single divisions than doubles. You will also find nice root structure on every division, and few or no roots connected to other divisions, so this one is quite easy to split.

Then replant the new GE divisions in the same spot, spaced out slightly from each other, and within a week or so you won't be able to tell that it was divided. GE generally divides quite easily, and does tolerate this sort of treatment just fine. Be sure you replant it at the same shallow level you currently have, water thoroughly, and it will be fine.

If you want to grow out any of the oddball divisions, be aware that the solid blue from GE can get huge, much larger than what used to be called elegans. I have a GE with a solid blue division, and the division is much taller than the GE, which runs 30-34 inches. The blue part is more like 38-40 inches tall, and only in it's third year. The blue also has much larger leaves and is slightly domed rather than flat or slightly inverted.

dhaven, thanks for the advice. I guess I will get brave and dig it up. I may have a spot in the back where I can plant the oddball. Good to know how big it will get :-)