Garden Column for the Salisbury Post
Darrell Blackwelder
April 24, 2002

Special Article written by Master Gardener-Caryn Blackwood
 

     In conjunction with gardening events and landscaping
workshops offered in April to celebrate National Garden Month,
Rowan County Master Gardeners will host a plant swap and sale on
May 4. Open to the public, the swap will begin at 9:30 at the
Agricultural Center on Old Concord Road. Only perennial plants
will be accepted for the swap; however, annuals, bulbs, seeds and
perennials will be available at the sale.
 Perennial plants live for multiple years and many such as
hostas, daylilies, dianthus and peonies benefit from division
every three to four years. As plants mature and become crowded,
the bloom quantity and quality decline. Division can also be used
to restrict invasive perennials like bee balm, lambs ear and
herbs in the mint family.
 April is an excellent time to divide perennials. Choose a
cool, overcast day so as not to shock the plants as they are
being transplanted. Several methods of division can be employed
depending on the plant characteristics. Use a sharp spade or
knife to remove portions of the crown for perennials such as
coral bells, ensuring that sufficient roots are available to
support each new plant. For other perennials the result is more
aesthetically pleasing when the entire plant is dug up anddivided
into pieces, replanting one division in the original location.
This works well with daylilies, hostas and sedum Autumn Joy. Many
other perennials drop seeds (columbine, sundrops,blackberry lily)
so that you need only dig up the wayward plants and relocate
them. Creeping perennials like thyme often root sections away
from the center of the plant. Carefully dig up the rooted section
and disentangle it from the main plant. In all cases, prepare the
new location(s) by loosening the soil and adding amendments if
necessary. Plant the division at the same depth as the original
plant and water thoroughly. It will be necessary to water the new
plantings until they are established.
 Divide your perennials and bring any surplus plants to the
swap. You'll go home with some new additions for your garden.

     For those entering the plant swap, the following guidelines
apply:
* plants must be healthy, free from insects and disease, and in
containers no larger than 1 gallon
* containers must be labeled with plant name, growing conditions
and name of person swapping plant
* each person may swap up to 5 plants, but no more than 2 of the
same type
* there will be a $1 fee per person to participate in the swap
* plants obtained in the swap may be exchanged for those on the
sale table

Caryn Blackwood is a Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer who
chairs the Annual Plant Swap.  For more information, contact the
Cooperative Extension office at 704-633-0571 or visit the Master
Gardener Webpage at (www.rowanmastergardener.com).