Dividing Bulbs

Fall 2017 brought us a bumper crop of oxblood lilies and spiderlilies (Lycoris radiata). When should you divide them (or spring bulbs)?

Anytime is fine, but the ideal time is when the leaves start to die back as they go dormant. But if you fear missing that, and want to find them easily, divide and move to new spots.

Be sure the ground is moist and dig carefully around them so that you don’t slice them in the process!

It’s best to divide opposite their blooming season. So: divide fall-bloomers in late fall/winter. Spring bulbs: divide late spring/summer.

Some bulbs may not bloom the first year after division, but it’s worth the wait to spread them around and create new clusters!