From our perspective, division is the most straightforward and reliable method to increase our numbers. This process involves physically separating a mature plant into smaller sections, each with its own growing points (crowns) and roots. We prefer this because it is a form of asexual propagation, meaning each new division is a genetic clone of the parent plant. This ensures the beautiful flower color and form you admire will be faithfully reproduced. The best time to undertake this task is in late autumn or very early spring, just as we are emerging from dormancy but before we put significant energy into flowering and new leaf production.
Before you begin, please prepare your tools. We appreciate clean, sharp implements like a sturdy knife or a pair of pruning saws to minimize damage and the risk of introducing disease. Have a bucket of water and some fungicide powder on hand to clean our roots and treat any fresh cuts. Prepare the new planting holes or containers in advance with well-amended, fertile, and well-draining soil. We thrive in partial to full shade, so choose our new homes accordingly. Water us thoroughly a day or two before division to reduce transplant shock and make the soil easier to work with.
Gently dig around our root ball, taking care to avoid damaging our thick, fleshy roots. Lift us out of the ground and carefully wash the soil from the roots with a gentle spray of water. This allows you to clearly see the structure of our crown and identify natural points for separation. Look for distinct growth points or "fans" of leaves. Using your sharp, clean tool, cut decisively between these sections, ensuring each new division has at least two or three growing buds and a healthy portion of roots attached. This is a traumatic experience for us, so please work efficiently and with purpose.
Immediately after division, it is wise to dip the cut surfaces of our roots into the fungicide powder to prevent rot. Trim any excessively long or damaged roots and remove any old, tattered leaves to help reduce water loss. Plant each division at the same soil depth we were previously growing, firm the soil gently around our roots, and water us in deeply to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a layer of organic mulch around our base to conserve moisture and protect our roots as we establish ourselves. Continue to provide consistent moisture, especially during the first growing season, but never allow us to sit in waterlogged soil.
While division clones us, growing from seed allows for genetic variation, potentially creating new and unique flower forms. However, this requires immense patience. Our seeds mature in late spring or early summer and must be sown immediately while still fresh, as they lose viability quickly. We exhibit double dormancy, meaning our seeds require a warm period followed by a prolonged cold period to break dormancy. Even under ideal conditions, germination can be erratic and may take 6 to 18 months. The resulting seedlings will take another 2 to 3 years to mature into flowering plants, and their flower color is unpredictable.
