Divide and Replant Overcrowded Perennials in November: Tips and Advice for Healthier Growth

Dividing and replanting overcrowded perennials in November is a great way to rejuvenate your garden and encourage healthier, more vigorous plants in the next growing season. Over time, many perennials become overcrowded, leading to reduced blooms and stunted growth as they compete for space, nutrients, and water. Dividing them every few years helps alleviate overcrowding, improves air circulation, and allows the plants to thrive. By dividing and replanting in November, while the plants are dormant, you give them a head start for spring. In this guide, we’ll provide tips on how to divide and replant perennials in November for optimal results.

Why Divide and Replant Perennials in November?

November is an ideal time to divide perennials because most plants are going dormant, making it easier to handle their root systems without causing undue stress. Dividing perennials in the fall also allows the roots to settle in and establish themselves before the cold winter sets in. When spring arrives, these plants will have a healthy root system in place, ready to support strong new growth and more abundant blooms.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing and Replanting Overcrowded Perennials in November

Identify Overcrowded Perennials:

Signs of Overcrowding: Look for perennials that have outgrown their space, have reduced flowering, or have dead centers surrounded by active growth. These signs indicate that the plants have become overcrowded and need to be divided.
Common Perennials to Divide: Popular perennials that often need dividing include hostas, daylilies, irises, asters, ornamental grasses, and bee balm.

Prepare Your Tools:

Use a Sharp Spade or Garden Fork: Gather a sharp spade, garden fork, or knife for dividing the plants. Make sure your tools are clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of diseases.
Water the Plants Before Digging: Water the perennials well a day before dividing to make the soil easier to work with and to reduce stress on the plants.

Dig Up the Plant:

Dig Around the Plant: Use your spade or fork to dig around the base of the plant, making sure to go wide enough to avoid damaging the root system. Gently lift the plant out of the ground, keeping the root ball intact.
Shake Off Excess Soil: Once the plant is out, gently shake off the excess soil so you can see the roots clearly. Avoid washing the roots with water, as it can make them more vulnerable to damage.

Divide the Perennial:

Separate the Plant into Sections: Depending on the size of the root ball, divide the plant into smaller sections. For larger plants, you may need to cut the root ball into several pieces. Each division should have at least 3-5 healthy shoots and a good portion of roots.
Use a Sharp Knife or Spade: If the root mass is dense or tough, use a sharp knife or spade to cut through the roots. Be sure to make clean cuts to avoid damaging the roots.

Inspect and Trim the Roots:

Remove Dead or Diseased Roots: Check the root divisions for any dead, damaged, or diseased roots and trim them away. This helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures healthy new growth.
Shorten Long Roots: Trim back any excessively long or straggly roots to encourage more compact root growth and easier replanting.

Replant the Divisions:

Prepare the New Planting Hole: Dig a hole in the new location that is large enough to accommodate the root division. The hole should be deep enough to place the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the stems) at the same depth it was in the original location.
Amend the Soil: Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve fertility and drainage. This helps the divided plants establish themselves more easily.
Space the Divisions Properly: Space the divisions according to the mature size of the plant, usually 12-18 inches apart for smaller perennials and 18-24 inches apart for larger varieties. Proper spacing ensures they won’t become overcrowded again too quickly.

Water and Mulch:

Water Thoroughly: After replanting, water the divided perennials thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots and reduce transplant shock. Keep the soil consistently moist until the ground freezes, which helps the plants establish themselves.
Mulch the Area: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw, shredded leaves, or compost, around the base of the plants. Mulch helps insulate the soil, retain moisture, and protect the plants from frost over winter.

Common Perennials to Divide and Replant in November

Hostas: Hostas benefit from division every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding and promote more vigorous growth. Divide them in November when the foliage has died back for easy handling.
Daylilies: Daylilies tend to spread quickly and can become overcrowded, leading to fewer blooms. Divide them in the fall and replant them in well-drained soil.
Irises: Irises often form clumps that become too crowded, resulting in fewer flowers. Dividing them in November helps revitalize their growth for the next blooming season.
Ornamental Grasses: Many ornamental grasses, such as fountain grass and miscanthus, can become overcrowded. Divide and replant them in the fall to maintain their health and shape.
Bee Balm (Monarda): Bee balm can spread aggressively and become overcrowded. Dividing in the fall keeps the plant healthy and reduces the risk of powdery mildew.

Benefits of Dividing and Replanting Overcrowded Perennials in November

Promotes Healthier Growth: Dividing overcrowded perennials gives each division more space, light, and nutrients, resulting in stronger, healthier plants with better blooms.
Prevents Disease: Overcrowded plants are more susceptible to disease due to poor air circulation. Dividing them reduces the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and root rot.
Encourages More Blooms: By giving perennials more room to grow, you encourage more vigorous flowering in the next season, leading to a more colorful and productive garden.
Rejuvenates Old Plants: Dividing older, tired plants helps rejuvenate them, leading to improved growth and a longer lifespan for your perennials.
Expands Your Garden: Dividing perennials gives you new plants to fill in bare spots in your garden or share with friends and neighbors. It’s an easy way to increase the number of plants without buying new ones.

Additional Tips for Dividing and Replanting Perennials in November

Divide on a Cloudy Day: Divide and replant your perennials on a cloudy or overcast day to reduce stress on the plants. Avoid dividing on hot, sunny days to prevent the roots from drying out.
Mark the Location: After replanting, mark the location of your divisions with plant labels or garden stakes so you know where they are come spring. This prevents accidental damage during early spring maintenance.
Water Regularly: Keep the soil moist after dividing and replanting until the ground freezes. This helps the plants establish their roots before winter, improving their chances of survival.
Don’t Divide Every Year: Most perennials only need to be divided every 3-5 years. Dividing too frequently can stress the plants and reduce their vigor.

Common Questions and Answers

Q1: How often should I divide perennials?
Most perennials need to be divided every 3-5 years, depending on the species. Signs that it’s time to divide include overcrowding, reduced blooms, and dead centers in the plant.

Q2: Can I divide perennials in November if frost has already arrived?
As long as the ground hasn’t frozen solid, you can divide perennials in November. It’s best to divide before the first hard frost, but perennials can still be successfully divided as long as the soil is workable.

Q3: How deep should I plant divided perennials?
Replant divided perennials at the same depth they were growing before division. The crown (where the roots meet the stems) should be level with or just below the soil surface.

Q4: Should I fertilize newly divided perennials?
It’s not necessary to fertilize newly divided perennials in the fall. Instead, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Fertilizing in the spring will help encourage new growth.

Q5: What should I do if my divided perennials wilt after replanting?
Some wilting is normal after dividing, but watering regularly and mulching around the base will help reduce stress. Keep the soil moist until the ground freezes to help the plants establish strong roots.