Your step by step guide to dividing Achillea perennial plants.
Alright, my fellow gardening enthusiasts! Are you ready to learn a bit of plant magic? Today, we're diving into one of my absolute favourite gardening hacks: getting FREE plants! And not just any plants, we're talking about the glorious Achillea! These hardy perennials are real troopers, offering a dazzling array of colours and thriving in all sorts of conditions. They're a perfect choice for borders and containers, especially for us here in the UK.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Dividing plants? Sounds a bit fiddly!" But believe me, once you've mastered this simple technique, you'll be wondering why you didn't try it sooner. It's especially handy for us UK gardeners with limited space who love growing in containers.
Why Divide Achillea?
Achillea are fantastic in pots, but like all of us, they appreciate a bit more room to spread out eventually. While this guide is all about getting more plants (for FREE!), remember that dividing also gives your existing plant a new lease on life. It's best to divide Achillea in spring or autumn.
What You'll Need:
- An established Achillea plant: Ideally, you want a pot-bound plant, one that's been growing happily for a year or more. These are the plants that will benefit the most from a bit of division and will give you the best results. The size of the plant will depend on the size of the pot.
- Fresh multi-purpose compost: A good quality compost is perfect for the job.
- Pots: You'll need a few pots to house your new Achillea divisions. The number of pots depends on how many plants you're creating.
- A sharp knife, spade, or trowel: I find a sharp knife or trowel works best for smaller plants. For larger, more established Achillea, you might need a spade.
Let's Get Dividing! Your Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare your plant: Gently squeeze the sides of the pot to encourage the root ball to loosen. Once it's free, carefully tip the pot upside down and slide the plant out.
- Inspect the root ball: Take a good look at the root ball. You'll notice distinct clumps of growth – these are the key to creating your new plants!
- Time to divide and conquer!: Using your chosen tool (trowel, knife, or spade), carefully divide the root ball into smaller sections. Make sure each section has at least one clump of growth.
- Pot up your new plants: Place each new division into a pot filled with fresh compost, ensuring the roots are nicely covered. Gently firm down the compost around each plant.
- Water well: Give your newly potted Achillea a thorough watering. This is a bit of a stressful time for them, so make sure those roots are nicely hydrated!
Looking After Your Divided Achillea Plants
Keep your new plants in a partially shaded spot for a few weeks while they settle in and get established. Water them regularly, keeping the compost moist but not soggy. Achillea are tough cookies, so even if you end up with some smaller divisions, they should still thrive with a bit of patience. They are remarkably resilient plants!
There you have it! You've successfully divided your Achillea and created new plants for your garden. It's like magic, but better - it's gardening!
