From my perspective, rooted firmly in the soil, I experience the world through my network of roots and rhizomes. A rhizome is not a simple root; it is my lifeline, my storage unit, and my method of travel. It is a modified underground stem that stores energy, allowing me to survive winter's dormancy. As each growing season passes, this network expands. I send out new horizontal rhizomes in search of fresh nutrients and space. Over time, the center of my clump can become old and woody, exhausting the immediate soil. This congestion tells me it is time to expand, and for you, the gardener, it is the perfect signal that I am ready to be divided and propagated.
Timing is everything for my successful division. I communicate my readiness through my growth cycle. The ideal time for this process is in the early spring, just as my new green shoots are emerging from the soil, typically a few inches tall. At this point, my energy is surging upwards from my rhizomes, but I have not yet committed all my resources to forming flower buds. This surge makes me resilient and quick to recover from the disturbance. Alternatively, you can undertake this task in the early autumn, after my vibrant golden petals have faded. This allows me to focus my energy on re-establishing my root system in the cool, moist soil before the ground freezes, without the demand of supporting blooms.
To divide me, please be gentle. Start by using a sharp spade to dig a wide circle around my outer edge, lifting my entire clump from the earth. Shake or wash off the excess soil so you can clearly see the structure of my rhizomes and root mass. You will notice that my clump is not a single entity but a collection of smaller offshoots, each connected to a central crown. Using your hands, a sharp knife, or even two garden forks placed back-to-back to pry me apart, carefully tease these smaller sections away. Each new division should have several healthy shoots (or "eyes" for growth in spring) and a substantial portion of my fibrous roots attached. This ensures the new plant has everything it needs to thrive on its own.
Once separated, my new divisions must be replanted immediately to prevent my delicate roots from drying out. Prepare new homes for us in well-draining soil that receives plenty of sunlight. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to accommodate my root system without crowding or bending it. Place me in the hole so that my crown—where my stems meet my roots—is level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill the hole, firming the soil gently around my roots to eliminate air pockets. Then, provide a deep, thorough watering to settle the soil and give me the hydration crucial for my recovery. Continue to water regularly, especially if rainfall is scarce, as I work to establish my new, independent root system in my fresh location.
