dividing Astilbe - advice please

Greetings,

I have a couple of large Astilbe that I should divide. I've looked at Internet sites and they seem to vary on whether one should divide these plants in the Autumn or Spring. I'm also not sure just how to go about the division. Do I use the "cut it apart" approach or do I work the division apart gently? Has anyone done this who could offer some advice?

Thanks,
Ann

Depending on how rootbound and large the root ball is, you can pull it apart using two forks or cut the root ball into pieces. I have a little saw from Valley K for such things. Probably the middle should be discarded. Replant and make sure they get planty of water.

the most general rule of when to divide that i know is "if they flower before the delphiniums divide in the fall; if they flower after the delphiniums divide in the spring

in my yard the astilbes flower after the delphiniums so i would divide in the spring

Hey, I'll remember that one Lynn. Thanks. :)

When do you divide your delphiniums Lynn?

i don't cause i don't like delphiniums. LOL

So....what? You peak over the neighbor's fence?

you betcha!

Well I bet they peak over in to yours too, just to see what's growing. Especially at your new pond, Lynn.

I guess the general rule is spring flowering - divide in late summer/fall. Late summer/fall flowering, divide in spring. I think I read that in Lois Hole's book long ago. I follow that when I can, but sometimes just end up doing it when I can find the time. Just try not to do it when it's really hot.

Hi Ann
I usually divide my astilbe after it finishes blooming. I find it easier because you can then remember how large the plants actually grow so that you can replant them in the same bed to have the same effect as before. I divide anytime up to the end of August.
(but of course in the spring works fine too)
Judy
I'd post a picture but as I am new here I don't know what jpg file size works.

Hi Sammigirl,

Did you just sneak in here without us noticing you. Welcome to our evergrowing Cdn gang. Seems to me that the GTA will soon overbalance the WEST. Maybe Orangeville isn't really the GTA but you are in southern Ont.

Cheers
Inanda

Hi Inanda
Thanks for the welcome note!
Judy (sammigirl)

Hi Judy,

You must have slipped in under the radar without any of us knowing. Glad to meet you and welcome to Dave's. Hope you'll chat with us and tell us about what you grow in your garden besides Astilbe.

:Donna from the West Kootenays.

Hey you guys - I saw her. But then I knew that there was an Orangeville near TO and wrote to ask. LOL

Thanks for the thoughts on the Astilbe, Judy. You're right about dividing in the autumn and knowing just what you are dealing with. If you've done it successfully, I probably can too. Also, in the spring there is so much else to do that I might forget. And my interlock steps next to the Astilble are sinking and may need to have some work on them this autumn which is always a good reason to move a plant so it doesn't get trampled.

Ann