From my roots, I feel the seasons change. The best time for you to divide me is when I am dormant, resting and conserving my energy. In the early spring, just as the soil becomes workable but before my new, fragile shoots have stretched more than an inch or two from the earth, is ideal. Alternatively, you can perform this task in the late fall, after my foliage has yellowed and died back completely. At these times, the shock to my system is minimal. My energy is stored safely in my rhizomatous roots, not in my tender stems and leaves, making me resilient to the process.
Please be gentle. Start by watering the soil around my base thoroughly a day before the operation. This makes the earth more pliable and easier to work with, reducing the strain on my root system. Use a sharp, clean spade or garden fork to dig in a wide circle around my crown, giving my extensive roots a wide berth. Carefully lift the entire root ball from the ground, shaking off the loose soil so you can see the structure of my roots clearly. I am a connected colony; my life force is stored in these fleshy, brittle roots.
Now, observe my center. You will see multiple growing points, often called "eyes," from which my stems emerge. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or a pair of pruning shears, cleanly cut through my root mass to create divisions. Each new section must have at least two or three of these eyes and a healthy portion of my roots attached. A clean cut is crucial; it heals faster and is less susceptible to rot than a ragged tear. Do not make the divisions too small, as they will need ample stored energy to establish themselves in a new location.
My new home should be prepared in advance. Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, and preferably in partial to full shade, where the sun will not scorch my delicate leaves. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to accommodate my roots without bending or crowding them. Place me in the hole so that my crown, where the eyes are, is about an inch below the soil surface. Backfill the hole gently, firming the soil around my roots to eliminate air pockets. Then, water me deeply and thoroughly to settle the soil and provide essential hydration to my stressed roots.
This period is critical. For the first few weeks, keep my soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to encourage my new root growth into the surrounding soil. A layer of mulch around my base will help retain that moisture and keep my roots cool. I may appear sluggish at first as I focus my energy on re-establishing my root system underground. Be patient. With consistent care, I will reward you with a flush of new growth, and in the following season, I will flourish once more, my locket-shaped flowers dancing in the dappled light, a testament to successful collaboration.
