Perennials are the backbone of a blooming garden, coming back year after year with vibrant color and texture. But even the toughest plants need a refresh.
Dividing them now and then is the secret sauce—it keeps overcrowding at bay and gives your garden a new lease on life. Here are 31 perennials you should always divide to keep them thriving, season after season.
1. Daylilies
Often mistaken for a fleeting summer delight, these beauties keep gardens glowing. Known for their trumpet-like blooms, they come in various colors, adding a splash of sunshine wherever planted.
To keep them thriving, divide every 3-5 years. Ensure each division has a fan of leaves and a healthy root system for best results.
2. Hostas
In the shade of your garden, these leafy wonders shine. With their broad, textured leaves and variety of greens, they offer a perfect contrast to other flowering plants.
Divide them in spring or early fall when they outgrow their space. Ensure each section has at least a few eyes to guarantee robust growth.
3. Bearded Iris
Gracing gardens with their exquisite blooms, these perennials are a sight to behold. The intricate patterns on their petals make them a favorite among gardeners.
Divide them every 3-4 years, best done in late summer. Make sure each division has a healthy rhizome and a fan of leaves.
4. Peonies
With lush, fragrant blooms, these garden classics steal the show every spring. Their abundant petals and delightful fragrance make them a cherished addition.
Separate them in fall, ensuring each root division has 3-5 eyes. Plant them shallowly for the best blooms.
5. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Hardy and resilient, these plants thrive where others might falter. With fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers, they add interest to rock gardens.
Separate sedum in spring when they start to crowd each other. Ensure each part has roots and a growing point.
6. Shasta Daisies
Bringing a touch of classic beauty, these cheerful flowers brighten any garden. Their crisp white petals with sunny centers are a timeless favorite.
Divide them every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding. Each section should have a robust root system and several shoots.
7. Astilbe
In the dappled shade, these plume-like wonders stand tall with grace. Their feathery blooms in shades of pink and red are a summer delight.
Divide astilbe in spring or early fall to encourage vigorous growth. Each division should have at least one bud and a healthy root system.
8. Coral Bells
Adding a splash of color to foliage beds, these perennials are known for their striking leaves. The bell-shaped flowers add an extra charm during bloom time.
Separate coral bells every 3-4 years to maintain their lushness. Ensure each division has a good root structure and several leaves.
9. Black-Eyed Susan
Bright and joyful, these flowers bring sunshine to any garden. Their golden petals and dark centers make them a standout feature in summer.
Divide them every 3-4 years to keep them healthy and blooming. Each section should have several roots and a few stems.
10. Echinacea (Coneflower)
Praised for its medicinal properties, this plant is more than just a pretty face. With vibrant petals and pronounced centers, it attracts pollinators and gardeners alike.
Separate coneflowers them every 3-4 years in spring or fall. Make sure each piece has a part of the root system and a growth bud.
11. Phlox
A fragrant addition to any garden, these clusters of blossoms create a sweet summer display. Their tall stems and vibrant colors are irresistible to butterflies and bees.
Section it every 3-5 years for the best bloom cycle. Each division should have a healthy set of roots and a few stems.
12. Lamb’s Ear
Soft to the touch, this plant provides more than just aesthetic appeal. Its velvety leaves and low-growing habit make it a favorite for borders.
Divide them every 2-4 years to prevent overcrowding. Allow each division to include a portion of roots and several leaves.
13. Yarrow
With its fern-like foliage and clusters of flowers, this plant is both ornamental and medicinal. Its ability to thrive in poor soil makes it a gardener’s ally.
Separate every 3-4 years to maintain its vigor. Each section should have a clump of roots and a few stems.
14. Helenium
Bursting with fiery colors, this plant adds warmth to the garden palette. Its daisy-like flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies during blooming.
Divide every 2-3 years to keep them flowering profusely. Ensure each section has a piece of root and a few shoots.
15. Campanula (Bellflower)
Known for their bell-shaped blooms, these plants offer a touch of whimsy. Their cascading flowers in shades of blue and purple are perfect for cottage gardens.
Section every 3-4 years to promote healthy growth. Each division should have a robust root system and several leaves.
16. Salvia
A favorite among pollinators, this plant’s spikes of flowers stand tall and proud. With its aromatic foliage and vibrant colors, it brightens any garden space.
Separate every 3-4 years to encourage fresh blooms. Ensure each piece has roots and a few shoots.
17. Japanese Anemone
Elegant and understated, these flowers sway gently in the autumn breeze. Their simple blooms in pastel hues add a touch of sophistication.
Divide them every 3-4 years to keep them from spreading excessively. Each part should have a robust root and a few leaves.
18. Monarda (Bee Balm)
With its shaggy flowers and aromatic foliage, this plant is a pollinator’s paradise. The spiky blooms in red and purple are sure to catch the eye.
Divide bee balm 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding. Each section should have a piece of rhizome and a few stems.
19. Goldenrod
Often misunderstood, this plant is not the cause of hay fever but a vital pollinator source. Its golden plumes add a sunny disposition to late summer gardens.
Separate every 3-4 years to keep the plants vigorous. Each piece should have roots and a few shoots.
20. Veronica (Speedwell)
The spires of this plant bring vertical interest and color to borders. With its petite flowers and tall stems, it’s a showstopper in any garden.
Section speedwell 3-4 years to maintain its health. Make sure each part has with a section of roots and a few stems.
21. Penstemon
This beauty offers tubular blooms that beckon hummingbirds and bees alike. With colors ranging from pink to purple, it adds a burst of vibrancy.
Separate penstemon every 3-5 years for optimal flowering. Each piece needs to include a good root system and a few stems.
22. Catmint
A favorite for both cats and gardeners, this plant offers aromatic leaves and soft blooms. Its lavender-blue flowers spill elegantly over edges and pathways.
Section every 3-4 years to refresh the plant’s vigor. Make sure each piece has a bit of root and several shoots.
23. Balloon Flower
With blooms that burst open like a party in the garden, these flowers add whimsy. The star-shaped flowers follow the balloon-like buds, offering a visual treat.
Separate the balloons every 2-3 years for a healthy display. Each flower section should have roots and a few buds.
24. Cranesbill (Hardy Geranium)
Not to be confused with its more tropical cousins, this plant offers hardiness and charm. Its delicate blooms and deeply lobed leaves make it a garden staple.
Section your hardy geranium every 2-3 years to keep it flourishing. Each plant piece needs some roots and several leaves.
25. Liatris (Blazing Star)
Known for its feathery plumes, this plant adds vertical interest. Its spikes of purple flowers delight both onlookers and pollinators.
Separate your blazing star every 3-4 years to ensure robust growth. Ensure each flower section has a corm and a few stems.
26. Coreopsis
Bringing sunshine to every corner, this plant offers cheerful flowers. Its bright yellow blooms and airy foliage make it a garden favorite.
Divide coreopsis every 2-3 years for continued blooming. Even the smallest division should have roots and a few stems.
27. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
With its warm, fiery tones, this flower wraps gardens in color. The daisy-like blooms are long-lasting and drought-tolerant.
Separate your plant every 2-3 years to keep them blooming profusely. Each blanket flower section should have roots and a few shoots.
28. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Spreading like a colorful carpet, this plant offers ground cover and blooms. Its blue flower spikes rise above the glossy foliage, adding interest to shady spots.
Section bugleweed every 2-3 years to control its spread. Make sure each plant division includes roots and several leaves.
29. Russian Sage
With its wispy lavender blooms and silvery leaves, this plant adds elegance to gardens. It’s a drought-tolerant beauty that thrives in the sun.
Divide your Russian beauty every 3-4 years to maintain its vitality. Allow each piece to have a portion of root and a few stems.
30. Tiarella (Foamflower)
Delicate and dreamy, foamflowers bring woodland charm to shaded gardens. Their frothy blooms rise above heart-shaped leaves that often turn bronze in fall.
Divide every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain their airy look. Each division should have a cluster of roots and several leaves.
31. Bergenia (Pig Squeak)
With thick, glossy leaves and early-spring blooms, this tough perennial adds year-round interest. Its name comes from the squeaky sound the leaves make when rubbed!
Separate every 4-5 years to keep it tidy and thriving. Make sure each piece includes a section of root and a couple of healthy leaves.