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Dividing Libertia, Tricyrtis, Epimedium, Brunnera

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't remember which one mine is @LG_- but I think it's ixioides Goldfinger. It did flower, but hasn't since I've moved it. It has produced more new foliage, so I'm hoping it will recover well enough.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Just divided the Brunnera - very easy. And the Epimedium - not so easy as it was quite a clump and I had to hack hard at it with a sharp blade to get anywhere. At that point I really couldn't tell whether I was doing the right thing, but once I'd separated a chunk the growth buds were obvious and it was quite easy to discern logical splits. So now I have 5 of each :smile:

    Gosh I do love dividing plants!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It's my favourite job too :)

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193
    I brought clumps of Libertia Formosa with me when I moved from West Somerset to mid Devon (autumn).  Previous experience had been that I could, and did, divide overlarge clumps at any time in the autumn or spring.  I have moved and divided subsequently over the past four years - and one clump, perforce, was moved in the early summer last year.  It didn't flower this year - but is now a lovely clump, and I expect it to be as good as ever next year.  

    You say yours hasn't yet flowered - unless it is absolutely necessary to divide and move it, I would be tempted to leave it for now and let it flower next year before taking any drastic action.  But overall, I have had no problems with either dividing or moving it!

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Thanks @Shrinking Violet. That was my feeling too - that I should wait for it to flower. But I also really like the look of the clump as it is and would like a couple more, so feel impatient about dividing it asap too! I'm going to leave it until spring and decide then (when do flower buds become visible?).
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193
    @LG it flowers in late spring/early summer.  It was the star of Chelsea a few years ago, not that that means too much, since they force some things and hold others back!  But late May is about right in my experience.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I was just thinking that if I could see if it was going to flower (by emerging buds) a bit earlier than that, then if it wasn't I might as well split it and if it was, leave it to perform...
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193
    I'm trying to remember the timescale - and I think the buds emerged in early May.  If you move a clump at that stage, all the flowers will be lost for that year,  but with a feed and being well watered will survive and will doubtless perform well next year.
    Not sure if this really helps with your decision-making, though!
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I'll resolve it by.... deciding to postpone my decision until the spring ;)
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I split the Tricyrtis in early spring and all three pots full are growing away happily. And I'm very glad I held back from dividing the Libertia as it is now covered in buds. I cannot wait to see the flowers! (and I will divide it in the autumn :)). Thanks for the advice.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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