I wouldn't put thrift in a dry place. While it has been exceedingly dry and exceedingly hot this summer, I have 3 clumps that apparently didn't get watered one time, and they are brown. And I don't think the spade method will be the best method for thrift. What you see on top goes to a central crown and the roots fan out below from there. I'll repeat that it's best done in spring and kept moist for a while after division.
