Hardy geraniums: how to divide them?

When to divide hardy geraniums?

Divide geraniums preferably in spring, in April or May. We recommend doing this when the clumps become bare in the centre, in order to restore vigour to the plant, starting from the fifth to the eighth year of cultivation depending on the varieties. If you notice that your plants are spreading too much or becoming exhausted, do not hesitate to divide them more frequently.

How to divide them?

1. Dig up the plant using a fork. Remove the excess soil around the roots.
2. Then divide the clump with a large knife, a pruning shear, or by hand. In the case of the geranium ‘Rozanne’, you will need to gently untangle the roots to obtain several young plants.
3. Separate the young shoots, ensuring to keep enough roots each time.
4. Prepare the ground and dig a planting hole.
5. Add some compost.
6. Plant the new clumps, replace the soil around them, and then gently firm it down.
7. Water generously.

Continue to water in the following weeks.

Depending on the varieties, you can also cut the clump directly in the ground with a spade, and thus only dig up the fragments that you will replant in the desired location.