Blog

Divide and Conquer: Late-Fall Perennial Division Made Easy

How to Lift & Divide Daylilies, Hostas & Irises Before Deep Winter — Plus the Best Espoma Products to Use

Late fall in Connecticut is the ideal time to divide your daylilies, hostas, and irises. As plants enter dormancy and temperatures cool, they experience less stress and establish stronger roots before the ground freezes. At Town & Country Nurseries, 1036 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438 | (860) 345-8581, we help gardeners prepare their landscapes for winter with expert advice, premium Espoma products, and everything needed for successful perennial division.

Whether your perennials are overcrowded, declining in bloom, or simply ready for renewal, dividing them now ensures a healthier, more vibrant garden next spring.

Why Divide Perennials in Late Fall?

Late fall offers the perfect conditions for perennial division in Connecticut:

  • Cool weather reduces transplant stress

  • Plants are entering dormancy, conserving energy

  • Soil is still workable before deep winter

  • Divisions establish roots before freezing temperatures

  • Overcrowded clumps get a fresh start—and you get free new plants

At Town & Country Nurseries, we recommend dividing perennials from mid-October through early December.

How to Divide Your Perennials

Dividing Daylilies

Daylilies grow vigorously and benefit from division every 3–5 years.

How to do it:

  1. Cut foliage back to 6 inches.

  2. Use a spading fork to lift the entire clump.

  3. Shake or rinse off excess soil.

  4. Separate the clump into divisions with 3–5 fans each.

  5. Replant immediately at the original depth.

  6. Mix Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil to promote rapid root growth.

Dividing Hostas

Hostas respond beautifully to fall division and come back strong in spring.

How to do it:

  1. Trim dying foliage.

  2. Dig around the plant and lift the clump.

  3. Slice the root mass into halves or wedges.

  4. Each division should have multiple eyes (buds).

  5. Replant right away, adding Bio-tone to the planting hole.

  6. Water deeply to settle the soil.

Dividing Bearded Irises

Bearded irises are divided differently because they grow from rhizomes, not dense root crowns.

How to do it:

  1. Trim leaves into a 6-inch fan shape.

  2. Lift rhizomes carefully with a fork.

  3. Keep only firm, healthy pieces.

  4. Dust cut ends with Espoma Bulb-tone to support new root growth.

  5. Replant rhizomes shallowly, just beneath the soil surface.

  6. Avoid heavy mulching over rhizomes to prevent rot.

Espoma Products for Strong, Healthy Divisions

Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus

Perfect for daylilies and hostas, Bio-tone:

  • Boosts root establishment

  • Reduces transplant shock

  • Provides long-lasting organic nutrition

  • Contains mycorrhizae for improved nutrient uptake

Mix Bio-tone into the planting area at division time for best results.

Espoma Bulb-tone

Ideal for irises and rhizome-forming plants:

  • Strengthens root systems

  • Supports spring bloom performance

  • Organic, gentle, and safe for pets & wildlife

Dust rhizomes lightly before planting or mix into the soil surface.

Aftercare: Help Your Divisions Thrive

Once replanted, your divided perennials will need a little TLC:

  • Water deeply after planting

  • Add a light 1–2 inch layer of mulch for insulation

  • Keep mulch away from iris rhizomes

  • Mark newly planted divisions so you remember their location after snowfall

FAQ: Late-Fall Perennial Division in Connecticut

Q: Is it too late to divide perennials in November or early December?

As long as the soil isn’t frozen, you can still divide daylilies, hostas, and irises.

Q: Do I need fertilizer?

Skip high-nitrogen fertilizers in fall. Instead, use Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus or Bulb-tone for root development.

Q: Will dividing hurt my plants?

Not at all—division rejuvenates older perennials, improves airflow, and enhances bloom production.

Q: Can I divide perennials after a frost?

Yes. Light frost is fine. Just avoid working when the soil is frozen hard.

Q: Where can I get the right Espoma products and tools?

Right here at Town & Country Nurseries.

Visit Town & Country Nurseries for Fall Garden Supplies

Town & Country Nurseries, located at 1036 Saybrook Road in Haddam, CT, offers everything you need for successful late-fall perennial division, including Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus, Espoma Bulb-tone, high-quality tools, soil amendments, and fresh plant material. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions, recommend the right products, and help you prepare your garden for the colder months ahead. Whether you’re dividing daylilies, hostas, or irises, or simply refreshing your landscape before winter, we invite you to stop in and let our garden experts guide you. For more information, call us at (860) 345-8581.

Sunrise Marketing