Perennials are divided to contain their size, to rejuvenate declining plants, and to propagate prized perennials. Vigorous perennials may grow so rapidly that they crowd out neighboring plants in the flower bed. In contrast, the performance of some perennials begins to decline after a number of years. One of the easiest ways to propagate a prized perennial is to divide the plant into two or more smaller plants.

The best time to divide perennials varies with the different plant species. Early spring is an excellent time to divide the following perennials.

• Aster (Aster species)
• Astilbe (Astilbe species)
• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
• Bellflower (Campanula species)
• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
• Blazing Star (Liatris species)
• Catmint (Nepeta species)
• Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflorum)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera species)
• Coreopsis (Coreopsis species)
• Cornflower (Centaurea species)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis species)
• Ferns
• Goatsbeard (Aruncus species)
• Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
• Hardy Geranium (Geranium species)
• Hardy Zinnia (Heliopsis helianthoides)
• Hosta (Hosta species)
• Meadowsweet (Filipendula species)
• Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
• Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
• Ornamental Grasses
• Perennial Salvia (Salvia hybrids)
• Phlox, Garden (Phlox paniculata)
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
• Speedwell (Veronica species)
• Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)
• Stonecrop (Sedum species)
• Wormwood (Artemisia species)
• Yarrow (Achillea species)