Now is the time to think of dividing or relocating peonies, in this case an old heirloom double fernleaf. My method is to use a stream of water to remove the soil around them rather than just dig them with a fork or shovel. They have a more delicate root system than the typical herbaceous peony and require a more gentle handling. Pic #1 is the plant to be dug.
Pic #2 is the hose nozzle system I prefer.
Pic #3 after the flushing
Ready to lift from the water. Use a pair of scissors to cut the fine feeder roots as far away as possible from the main roots. When the clum is ready to lift, it will appear to float in the water. Reach under the root ball and lift straight up. Never try to lift it by the old cutoff stems. You will break off several eyes if you pull a stem off. The eyes are sometimes connected to the base of the stems.
Pic #4 washed clump.
Pics #5 & #6 are the finished divisions.
Lastly, save all the broken off roots whether they have eyes or not. Some say the fern leaf can produce adventitious eyes from root slices so one has nothing to lose by planting them and possibly a $50 plant gained. This is just my experiences with fern leafs and may not work well for someone else. The procedure works best with a raised bed but will also work for grade level plantings.
