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Dividing Hylotelephium

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Morning,

Last year, I cut 6 single Hylotelephium spectabile stems from a large wild plant and planted them, not expecting much as this was my first year gardening.

All but one did well and now there’s plenty of new shoots, more than I ever expected. Would it be best to dig some up and relocate to give them more space? If so, (a) should I dig equidistant between each of the plants in the hope I don’t damage the roots and (b) should I dig up and relocate 4 of the plants so they’ve all got more room or dig up just a couple? The area in the pic is now a proper bed, no grass to contend with.

Many thanks from a complete novice!


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  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    edited April 2021
    Looking at it you've got 4 decent sized plants there, if you combine the 2 on the left. It depends where you want to put them, whether you need that many new plants, for edging say,  or whether to combine a couple more to make something more impressive for a particular spot.
    As you have found out, there is no problem with dividing or splitting them, even bits that get broken off, by clumsy feet (not always mine!) usually put out roots and regrow. :)
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks. If I left them as they are, would they not be too cramped later in the year? I do like seeing impressive clumps of this plant so if it wouldn’t cause any issues, leaving them as they are would be good.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Is this the wild form (orpine) or a cultivar? The wild form is quite small so 20cm spacings would probably be appropriate. Garden varieties can be a bit bigger, so you could go for 35cm as they're young plants. However they won't suffer any particular ill effects being more tightly planted. They'll just grow as if one large clump.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited April 2021
    In short they're fine as they are but I would move them out of the lawn personally
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks, as I mentioned at the start, the area is now a proper bed so no longer in the lawn. 

    Not sure on the type, I just cut 6 stems off a plant which is present on the local rugby field! It’s the type I see in most gardens which I knew as ice plant.

    As it seems they’ll be ok as they are, I’ll leave it as it is and hope for a nice impressive clump 🙂
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Is it too late to divide Hylotelephium? I have a larger clump, with stems almost 20cm tall, that I’d like to split but not sure if I should have done it in March?

    If it’s not too late, will the removed section wilt like some other plants do when divided or cut?

     Thanks!
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Loxley said:
    Is this the wild form (orpine) or a cultivar? The wild form is quite small so 20cm spacings would probably be appropriate. Garden varieties can be a bit bigger, so you could go for 35cm as they're young plants. However they won't suffer any particular ill effects being more tightly planted. They'll just grow as if one large clump.
    Apparently the wild form (Hylotelephium telephium) is almost impossible to get hold of now in its true form. Too much hybridisation and habitat loss going on.
    You can divide it at any time really. It holds plenty of water in the leaves and root to support a bit of upheaval. Try adding a bit of bone meal to the transplant hole to help new root growth. You can always cut the flower spikes off later in the year to help it concentrate on root growth.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Great, thanks. Just so I know that it’s not perishing, is it likely to droop/wilt once split and replanted? If so, how long before it perks up?

     Thanks.


  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Yeah it will droop a bit as it uses up the stored water to make roots. Don't over water it though and it will perk up in its own time. If you divide it with plenty of root then it will recover faster. I've just had some bare-root though the post and I'm waiting for them to rehydrate now but they only had a little tiny bit of root attached.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks again. Our garden is a south facing ‘hotspot’ so I imagine it may look quite sorry for itself for a bit! I’m off to divide it now so we’ll see how it goes!

    With regards to watering, once a day/every other day? I usually use the wooden skewer method to test moisture levels so should I do that and aim to have it consistently moist?

    Sorry for all the questions.
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