Carol Klein's Guide to Propagating Plants by Division in Autumn

Autumn Plant Division for Propagation

• 💡 Propagating plants by dividing herbaceous perennials in autumn is an exciting way to grow your own garden.
• 🎯 This method is ideal for plants that flower early in the season, while late-flowering plants should be divided in spring.

Dividing Pulmonaria

• ✂️ Carol Klein demonstrates dividing a pulmonaria clump, taking out pieces with decent roots and foliage.
• 🗑️ Old, non-regenerating root material is placed directly onto the compost heap.
• 🌱 Each divided piece is potted individually, ensuring the plant is at the same height it was in the soil.

Potting Technique

• ⚠️ Avoid folding roots when potting; they must grow downwards.
• 🪴 Jiggle the pot while adding soil to ensure roots are positioned correctly and to eliminate air pockets.
• 💧 The crown of the plant should be level with the soil, and finishing with grit helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent crown rot.

Propagating Geraniums

• 🪴 A geranium (geranium canabrien) bought several months ago is used as another example for division.
• 🛠️ For tougher plants, two small garden forks can be used to lever apart large chunks of the root system.
• ✂️ Excess fibrous root is removed, focusing on the larger roots that will develop into feeding roots.

Timing and Results

• 🌸 Early-flowering plants should be divided in autumn, while late-flowering plants like asters are best divided in spring.
• 🚀 With this method, one plant can yield half a dozen new, chunky plants by spring.
• 🌟 Even plants that look a bit sorry for themselves initially will develop new shoots from their roots.