You all seem quite confident that I won't kill the plant by dividing it! But is there anything that I can do to reduce the chances of killing it if I try to divide it?
@TheGardenerFromMars In 2018 About half the Phormiums growing locally did not survive. Of those that did the leaves were in a bad way blackened will wind chill and frost. I remember cutting alot of them back all regrew by the end of the summer and the following year were back to normal growth. These were exceptional circumstances, after most winters there are tatty leaves which need to be thinned out at the base to keep them tidy.You won't kill it by dividing it, you are in more danger, use eye protection. Once up and out of the ground you will see how it naturally divides. There are some Phormiums that are not hardy locally to me P Blondie and P Platt's Black. The GC's should say suitable for a pot and overwinter under glass.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
You won't kill it. They benefit from regular division anyway, especially variegated ones, as it helps them retain the colour. Some are certainly tougher than others, but, like many plants, it's prolonged wet cold that does for them more than anything. If they're in the right growing medium [sharp drainage] it's less of a problem, as it counteracts that weather. Knocking snow off them is also helpful as the foliage can split under the weight. It's not necessary if it's only an inch or so though. I cut many of mine back in spring, or at least take off all the foliage that's damaged after winter, which is often rather a lot. They come away again no problem. Cut right in at the base with sharp scissors or secateurs. I find scissors better.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you try to divide, retain as much root as possible, especially the fine roots, keep them covered. Better done in spring but could be October. Replant immediately and water well regardless of the weather. Make clean cuts when dividing, a kitchen knife or an axe, depending on size of plant. Any old tatty, damaged dead leaves should be removed. Be Brave.
To divide: 1. Remove all the big leaves a) so you can see what you are doing and b) to reduce transpiration water-loss. 2. Make sure it is well watered. 3. Dig all round close to the plant (but nto too close) 4. Lift it out of the ground keeping the rootball as intact as possible. 5. Push a fork down throught the centre of the rootball. 6. Push another fork, facing the other way, in contact with the first one. 7. Lever apart, to make 2 plants. (use an axe or big knife if necessary) 8. Replant, firmly and water in. 9. Maybe a stick if there is any danger of the wind rocking the two. There are probably YouTube videos to watch if that's your sort of thing. Now through to spring is a good time.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
One of the problems with forums is that perhaps the photos don't always give a true representation of plant size!
I went ahead with dividing the plant but it was perhaps a slightly bigger plant than you all realised haha. Using a knife wasn't on the right scale - I ended up using a bow saw! It also didn't help that it was growing near a wall, so quite hard to dig out on one side.
Anyway, I eventually got it out of the ground, divided it and replanted each half. They look okay so far and I've been trying to keep them well watered.
I'll let you know how they get on once spring kicks in.
@TheGardenerFromMars I think it might be good that it is next to a wall, lots of gardeners have lost Phormiums this winter. A wall gives some protection.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I often use a saw for dividing them @TheGardenerFromMars. Sometimes a pruning saw is enough if it's a smaller specimen in a pot, but the usual info about spades and forks rarely works for me. Far too solid for that if they're of any size. Easier if you have light soil I suppose. Just be careful with the watering though - they shouldn't dry out too quickly at this time of year so just check on them and don't go mad If the pieces are a bit wobbly [that will depend on the size] they might need a little bit of support until the roots get well established. A few canes and some string, or some twiggy branches usually does the job. The wall will help with protection, so hopefully yours will be fine. I've lost all of mine this winter with the wet/freezing cycle. They're usually fine in any winter, even 'normal' ones, which we've not had for a few years. I just get damaged foliage etc, which isn't always due to weather, but this year has been totally different. One has a tiny bit of green, so it might still be alive. C'est la vie. Fingers crossed for yours
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
These were exceptional circumstances, after most winters there are tatty leaves which need to be thinned out at the base to keep them tidy.You won't kill it by dividing it, you are in more danger, use eye protection. Once up and out of the ground you will see how it naturally divides.
There are some Phormiums that are not hardy locally to me P Blondie and P Platt's Black. The GC's should say suitable for a pot and overwinter under glass.
Some are certainly tougher than others, but, like many plants, it's prolonged wet cold that does for them more than anything. If they're in the right growing medium [sharp drainage] it's less of a problem, as it counteracts that weather. Knocking snow off them is also helpful as the foliage can split under the weight. It's not necessary if it's only an inch or so though.
I cut many of mine back in spring, or at least take off all the foliage that's damaged after winter, which is often rather a lot. They come away again no problem. Cut right in at the base with sharp scissors or secateurs. I find scissors better.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Be Brave.
1. Remove all the big leaves a) so you can see what you are doing and b) to reduce transpiration water-loss.
2. Make sure it is well watered.
3. Dig all round close to the plant (but nto too close)
4. Lift it out of the ground keeping the rootball as intact as possible.
5. Push a fork down throught the centre of the rootball.
6. Push another fork, facing the other way, in contact with the first one.
7. Lever apart, to make 2 plants. (use an axe or big knife if necessary)
8. Replant, firmly and water in.
9. Maybe a stick if there is any danger of the wind rocking the two.
There are probably YouTube videos to watch if that's your sort of thing.
Now through to spring is a good time.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Just be careful with the watering though - they shouldn't dry out too quickly at this time of year so just check on them and don't go mad
If the pieces are a bit wobbly [that will depend on the size] they might need a little bit of support until the roots get well established. A few canes and some string, or some twiggy branches usually does the job.
The wall will help with protection, so hopefully yours will be fine. I've lost all of mine this winter with the wet/freezing cycle. They're usually fine in any winter, even 'normal' ones, which we've not had for a few years. I just get damaged foliage etc, which isn't always due to weather, but this year has been totally different. One has a tiny bit of green, so it might still be alive. C'est la vie.
Fingers crossed for yours
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...