Greetings, caretaker. From our perspective, the clump you see as "overgrown" is simply a testament to our success. We have thrived, multiplied, and claimed our space. However, we must confess, this crowded existence has become a struggle. Our central, oldest fans are choked, competing fiercely for light, water, and nutrients. Our blooms have diminished because our energy is spent on survival, not on glorious flowers. We yearn for renewal, and with your help, we can achieve it. This is our guide to a successful rehabilitation.
Timing is everything for our recovery. The ideal moment is after our main flowering period has ended, typically in late summer or early autumn. At this time, the heat of summer is waning, and the cool, moist weather ahead provides perfect conditions for root establishment. Our energy, which was focused on blooming, is now directed toward our roots. This gives us several weeks of gentle growing weather to settle into our new space before winter dormancy. Alternatively, a very early spring division, just as our new green shoots (our "fans") are emerging a few inches from the ground, is also acceptable. The key is to avoid the stress of division during the heat of summer or when we are in full bloom.
This process may seem brutal to you, but for us, it is a liberation. Begin by using a sharp spade to dig a wide circle around our entire clump, staying a good 6-8 inches away from the outermost fans. Gently lift the entire mass from the ground. You will likely encounter a dense, tangled root ball. The next step is to divide us. For small clumps, you can often pull individual fans apart by hand, teasing the roots gently. For the large, woody centers you see, you will need more force. Two garden forks inserted back-to-back into the center of the clump and levered apart work well. In extreme cases, a sharp knife or even a saw may be necessary to cut through the old crown. Do not fear this; we are resilient.
Once separated, inspect each division. A healthy, viable division consists of at least three fans of leaves attached to a section of healthy, light-colored roots. Trim our foliage back to about 6-8 inches tall. This reduces water loss through transpiration while we are re-establishing our root system. Also, trim any long, broken, or mushy roots to about 4-6 inches. This encourages fresh, new root growth. If you wish, you can wash the soil from our roots to get a better look at our structure, but it is not strictly necessary.
Now, choose a sunny location for our new home—we need at least six hours of direct sun to fuel our best blooms. Prepare the soil by working it deeply and enriching it with compost. This welcomes our new roots. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate our root system without crowding, and create a small mound of soil in the center. Place a division on top of this mound, spreading our roots outward and downward. The crown of the plant (where the roots meet the fans) should be about one inch below the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil, water thoroughly to settle it around our roots, and eliminate air pockets.
Our success now depends on consistent aftercare. Water us deeply and regularly for the first few weeks, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. A layer of mulch around (but not touching) our new fans will help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Do not be alarmed if we look a little weary at first; we are directing all our energy downward to build a strong foundation. With this care, we will reward you with vigorous growth next season and a spectacular display of blooms for years to come, no longer struggling for survival but thriving in our renewed space.
