Well now, if there’s one thing we Southerners know besides good cornbread and how to find shade on a hot day, it’s that a garden is meant to be shared. And there ain’t no better way to do that than by splitting and gifting perennials. It’s a little bit science, a little bit art, and a whole lot of love.
Granny Mae always said, “The Lord made perennials so we’d never have to buy ’em twice—and so we’d always have somethin’ to give.” She was right, too. I remember one fine spring morning when I saw Granny out in her flower beds, dressed in her old straw hat and knee-high mud boots. There she was, whacking away at a clump of irises with a sharp spade like she was auditioning for the lumberjack Olympics. “These beauties are headin’ over to Miss Lorraine’s house,” she hollered at me. “She’s got more empty dirt than sense, bless her heart.”
When’s the Right Time to Split Perennials?
If your flower beds are startin’ to look like a Sunday church potluck—too crowded and full of all kinds of beautiful chaos—it’s time to think about dividing. The best time depends on the plant, but most perennials appreciate a split in the early spring or late fall when the weather’s cooler, and the plants ain’t showin’ off quite as much.
How to Do It Without Callin’ a Tow Truck
Granny Mae always kept it simple:
- Water the plants the day before, so the roots ain’t bone dry.
- Use a spade or garden fork to dig around the clump, giving it plenty of space.
- Lift it out gently—like you’re rescuing a cat from under the porch.
- Split it into sections with your hands or a knife. Don’t get fussy. If it breaks a little, it’ll survive.
- Replant what you want to keep, and share the rest with friends, neighbors, or that nice lady down the street who always waves at you.
The Joy of Gifting Perennials
There’s something downright magical about watching a plant you shared bloom in someone else’s yard. Mrs. Jenkins, Granny’s neighbor, still brags about the peonies Granny gave her twenty years ago. “They come back prettier every year, just like memories,” she says.
And she’s right. Gifting perennials ain’t just about flowers—it’s about passing down a piece of yourself, just like Granny Mae passed down her wisdom and her love for the soil. Every bloom is a reminder that life is meant to be shared.
So next time your flower beds are lookin’ thick as a blackberry patch in July, grab a spade, dig in, and spread a little joy. Trust me, your garden—and your neighbors—will thank you for it.
