Now Is The Time For Fall Plant And Divide Perennials

Too many gardeners are puzzled by seemingly contradictory directions regarding the proper time for the planting and dividing of perennials. They are led to understand that some perennials are best planted in the spring and others in the fall. But how can they distinguish them so as to re-member which are which? The more they read about them, the greater appears to become the confusion. And, especially if they read English gardening books on the subject, they are likely not only to be confused but to be led into serious errors.

This last statement, which may sound unpleasant to many ears, is actually based on the crux of the whole problem. Certainly no one in his right senses would imply that our cousins across the great water, who are justly famous for their gardening skill, do not know what they are talking about. However, the directions which they give, based on generations of experience, apply to England. In most parts of North America, however, very different climatic conditions prevail, and therefore. English practices when applied here must be modified accordingly.

The same fact holds true if one compares different sections of the United States. Not infrequently it is found that a procedure which is very successful in one part of the country leads to complete failure and loss of plants in another.

At this point, perhaps, the whole problem seems almost hopeless of solution. However, it’s by no means as grim as that. Indeed, all that is needed to clear up the mystery is to carefully consider a few fundamental facts governing the lives of plants.

The Life Rhythm of Plants

All plants, including those which grace our gardens during summer, show a definite rhythm of growth. But it’s rare that this rhythm can be represented by a simple curve, rising continuously from spring to summer and then falling off continuously from summer to autumn. Usually there is at least one distinct dip of variable length in the curve, followed by a rise, before winter closes in and causes the sharp and final drop in the curve. This more or less complete rest period, followed by a resumption of growth, especially root growth, which is represented by the drop and then the rise in the curve, is of the greatest significance.

It is during this period of rest that many plants may be moved and divided most safely, and it is up to the gardener to observe when the opportune moment has come. Different types of plants, naturally, behave in different ways. Certain early spring flowers, such as trillium and bloodroot as well as daffodils, tulips, the small anemones, and so on, wither and die down completely during early or late summer. These should be moved as soon as the leaves have turned brown”neither sooner, since the leaves are needed to store up reserves in the bulbs, tubers or rhizomes, nor much later, since two or three weeks after the plants have gone to rest most of them resume root growth even if they do not at once produce new leaves above the surface.

Some other plants, such as pulmonaria, primula, african violets, iris, Phlox subulata, etc., only remain at a standstill for one to three weeks after their flowers have faded before they once more begin producing new leaves and roots. These plants, therefore, should be transplanted and divided immediately after flowering. However, care of African Violets should be regularly done.

Still another group, to which the peony belongs, finish their growth after flowering and then retain their leaves without further development until the end of summer. These, from all outward appearances, present a simple smooth curve of growth; but this does not hold true if their root development is considered. During the latter part of summer, their roots are almost inactive, but, at the time their leaves begin to wither, root growth is resumed before winter closes in and checks it once more. These, therefore, are the plants which, under all circumstances, are most safely transplanted and divided during September.