The Great Divide

You may recall that we spent some time working on our retaining walls recently. The final step before we could take a breath on this project was to replant the plants that had been moved. Some of them needed to be divided, too.

Here is what the garden looked like before. Eeek.

I dug this clump of liriope 'Big Blue.' It was huge and it had a few weeds growing through it that I had to remove.

Using one of my kitchen knives, I divided it up. Generally, I use my spade, but for some divisions, a knife works much better.

While dividing perennials not one of the sexiest gardening jobs, it is one of the most gratifying. Who doesn't want free plants? And I think it is also one of the most intimidating if you have never done it. It's pretty easy if you have a little faith...and perennials are tough. They can take it. Dividing at the right time of year helps a lot, too. Most plants are easiest to divide in spring.

Some of them I had stuck in empty paver base bags to keep the root ball moist. Classy. They got transplanted in various spots. They also have not wilted one bit...that plant is tough!

I also had to dig up some plants to be moved. I dug them and laid them out on a tarp to keep the grass from getting clumps of dirt all over it, which are a pain to clean up.

You can see my caryopteris in the lower part of the picture is not happy. Wilting after being out of the ground five minutes. I also had some plants that had had to be moved earlier resting in bags.

After transplanting--and moving some things over from the other side of the garden--we have one side of our new garden bed that is starting to be filled in.

The hostas have done great being moved, along with the liriope. The daylilies are browning a bit, but I think they'll be okay. And my caryopteris, which should start blooming in the next month, I've had to baby that one, watering it almost every day. It may not bloom this year, but now it's in the correct spot...forever!

As for the rest of the garden, I'm waiting to see what the fall plant sales bring. ; )