i used to split when they needed to be split ... or i needed more of the same ...

it really isnt something that need by done.. especially by calendar ...

some plants will fairy ring ... the center dies out ... so you dig out the center. .or the whole plant.. and replant young vibrant parts ...

others just get so root clogged.. and you can see a decline ... so dig them up ...

but just digging them up for the heck of it .. well if you need the exercise.. or just wish to discipline your plants.. go for it ... but it isnt something that you are required to do ...

ken

of course.. on a small suburban lot.. where you are lacking for space.. you could divide the plants and get rid of excess.. just to maintain a smaller plant ... but thats kind of different than splitting a plant ... in my head anyway ...

ken

Never? I rarely ever divide any perennial that doesn't require it for continued healthy growth or flowering. So that limits it to things like some ornamental grasses and some iris species. Now and again I will divide some perennials to increase stock or share with friends but it is not a routine practice.

What Ken said. I split my plants if I want another plant to put somewhere else, but leave them alone otherwise. Of course, if you need to move a plant, they will often split when you dig them up, but that's a different matter. Myself, I like the look of a mature plant, whether it's peony, hosta, or Euphorbia polychroma, so I do not split unless I'm moving them.

Likewise. Why make work?

Thanks for all the responses. I actually do NOT want the work, lol! Whenever I read about plants I'm interested in, it usually mentions dividing every __ years, so I was curious why I would want/need to if they are doing well. I move enough stuff around without needing to divide things besides, so that's a great answer for me!

I'm with you, grab. The advice to divide every ___ years has made me think my plants are going to be in decline. I am VERY happy to hear that most of you don't! I know irises need it, and I just learned hardy mums need it, too. What other plants develop woody, unproductive crowns if they're not divided?

(I divided a Veronica this year because I wondered if it "needed" it per the above instructions. Now with the heat and dryness they aren't too happy.)