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May 19, 2024 12:05 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
I planted a nice 'Canary Brilliants' peony at my daughter's house in Utah 3 years ago in the fall. It's been growing and blooming beautifully and is very happy.

But . . . I know, I shouldn't complain - it's taking over the whole bed! This year it is 5ft. tall and 5ft wide according to my daughter (I'm in Florida, going to visit next week).

Can we divide the clump in the fall or next spring? How and when? Am I just messing with success here? Just prune it back after it's finished blooming?

Thumb of 2024-05-19/dyzzypyxxy/4923eb

Pictured last May when it was just starting to bloom, and it almost doubled in size this year according to my daughter.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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May 20, 2024 3:26 PM CST
Name: Anya
Fairbanks, AK (Zone 3a)
Cat Lover
Itoh's can be very big after a few years. It looks like this peony is happy in the garden Smiling Sure you can divide it in the fall. If a division is going to be planted int he same spot, the soil should be replaced or amended with a lot of compost and fertilizer (I prefer an organic one). Good luck!
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May 20, 2024 4:09 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Thanks for the encouragement, Anya. So do we dig up the whole clump, hose it off so we can see the root mass, and divide it accordingly? Or can I just cut out a section with a sharp shovel like you would do with a daylily or iris?

We do want to leave the main clump where it is now, just would like to make another flower bed with another clump, and keep this one down to a reasonable size.

I'm going to visit again in October, and hopefully it will be dormant already so I can do the dividing job when I'm there. Depends on the weather, though I guess.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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May 21, 2024 2:43 PM CST
Name: Anya
Fairbanks, AK (Zone 3a)
Cat Lover
I found dividing an Itoh be challenging. Even if I dig up the whole plant and carefully divide the root I get a lot of pieces of the crown without any roots. I assume dividing a clump in the ground will give even more waste.
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May 22, 2024 8:38 AM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
I would dig it up this Fall, wash it off , divide it and replant as Anya suggested. October will be fine. Remove all the foliage before you dig it up to make the job easier.

If you have a reciprocating saw it will make it much easier. The Itohs I have dug up were very woody and difficult to divide!
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
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May 22, 2024 9:21 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
That's the plan, thanks for the advice and encouragement here, folks! I have a nice battery saw here, but may have to splurge and buy one for my daughter's house. Oh well, more pruning, easier going forward.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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