From my perspective as a mature Salvia plant, timing is everything. My life force ebbs and flows with the seasons, and the ideal moment for this significant change is during my period of gentle dormancy. Please aim for early spring, just as the soil becomes workable and my new growth is still tiny, sleeping buds at my crown. At this time, my energy is concentrated in my roots, waiting to surge upwards. This gives me the entire growing season to recover from the disturbance and re-establish myself. Alternatively, early autumn, after the intense summer heat has passed but while the soil is still warm, is acceptable. This allows my roots to settle in and establish before the winter freeze, without the stress of supporting a large canopy of flowers and leaves.
To make this separation less of a shock, please prepare me a day in advance. A deep, thorough watering will ensure my cells are fully hydrated and my roots are more pliable and less brittle. This reduces the risk of catastrophic breakage and helps the soil hold together around my root ball, protecting the delicate feeder roots. On the day of the move, choose an overcast day or work in the cool of the early evening to prevent my exposed parts from wilting under the harsh sun.
Using a sharp, clean spade, dig a wide circle around my base, about 6 inches from my outermost stems. Gently lift my entire root mass from the ground. Now, observe my center. You will likely find that I have developed a dense, woody core. The healthiest and most vigorous parts of me are on the younger, outer edges. You can divide me by carefully pulling apart these outer sections with your hands, teasing the roots apart. For my tougher, woodier center, you may need to use two garden forks placed back-to-back to lever me apart or a sharp knife to make clean cuts. Ensure each new section has a good portion of healthy roots and several strong growing shoots (eyes) attached.
Prepare my new homes in advance. The planting holes should be wide and deep enough to accommodate my roots without crowding or bending them. Amend the soil with some compost to give me a nutritious start. Place each of my divisions in their new holes at the same depth I was growing before. Backfill the soil, firming it gently around my roots to eliminate large air pockets. Then, water me deeply and thoroughly. This "settling in" water is crucial; it makes direct contact with my roots, helps the soil settle, and begins the process of hydration recovery.
My immediate needs after division are simple: consistent moisture and reduced stress. Keep the soil around my new locations consistently moist, but not waterlogged, for the first several weeks as I work to regenerate my root systems. Providing some light shade during the hottest part of the day for the first week can significantly reduce transplant shock and prevent wilting. Please resist the urge to fertilize me immediately; my focus is on root establishment, and a surge of nitrogen could push tender new growth at the expense of the strong foundation I need to build.
