Re: Crazy weather, dividing Sibs

In a message dated 4/19/02 3:18:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
dickow@uidaho.edu writes:

<< 
 It is indeed difficult to dig siberians if the clump is old and you are
 trying to lift out the whole thing at one time. Don't even think about it.
 Ugh!!! >>

This may not be for all, I am sort of behind always as I have a large and 
eclectic garden.  The Siberian bloom if during a cool period is always a 
wonderful week.

I get my son or husband to extricate the whole clump which is not easy, you 
need a stong guy.   I put it out on the gravel driveway and saw it into 
quarters (real saw, pruning saw)  or more if necessary and pot it it until a 
cool period in the summer.  I slip the pots into prepared spaces and there is 
no transplant shock.   I always give a bunch to friends.  Mine are probably 
in clumps for five years or more.

The only negative is that a dead spot might develop in the center and look 
poorly in a border.  As you you become an older gardener such a spot will not 
bother you a bit.  You can train another plant over it if you are fussy.  
Some alchemilla will hide the spot.

This is my method after years of Siberians.  I would add that if a Siberian 
decides that it will be unhealthy here, not vigorous and fail to thrive, it 
does not last with me more than a year or two.  There are so may good ones, a 
spiritless plant is not given any space.

I have found a few that will live and thrive in a protected cold frame 
indicating that the breeding of these plants is not for general garden use.  
They should not be marketed to gardeners who are not warned.  Such is 
probably true for many genera but he message is, Siberians do very well in 
cold places and if yours does not, replace it.  Do not be seduced by exotic 
descriptions.  Look for the word vigorous.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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