THE easiest method of vegetative propagation is to lift plants and split them into a number of portions, which are then replanted. The type of plants that lend themselves to this method are the clump-formers, such as herbaceous plants and other hardy perennials.
Plants that creep over the ground forming mats or carpets can often be easily divided – including some alpines or rock plants and ground-cover perennials. Other plants produce suckers, which are growths that arise from the roots or from underground stems and are a natural method of increase. You can remove suckers, which have their own roots, and replant them elsewhere to provide new plants that will be identical in every way to the parent. This is really a form of division.
Simple division
Hardy perennials
MANY herbaceous plants and other hardy perennials form large clumps or mats after they have been planted a few years. When they reach this stage they often start to decline in vigour and flower less freely. When this happens, the clumps should be lifted and divided. Generally, perennials should be split up about every three or four years – this ensures they remain vigorous and, of course,
