Flower Gardens

» Joni Rose - Best time?

I have some thyme and ivy that have spread a little too much and so I'd like to transplant some to another section of my garden. Do you have any tips for this and is there a better time of year to do this? Is it okay to do it now? I live on the West Coast of Canada.

Thanks!

» Cottage_Garden - Divide thyme, ivy

hi Joni! I probably would not try division now, but if you have lots of extra material to work with you could try it and see how it works for you -- creeping thymes are fairly sturdy plants, and ivy is somewhat iron-clad.

You will need to keep the new plants carefully watered until they re-establish, although with the thyme you have to take care not to overwater as it needs a well drained soil on the dry side. In your area, summer may be mild enough that it would work fine. In a hotter summer area, it would be really hard on the divisions.

Summer is usually not a good time to try to transplant or divide perennials because the summer is hot and stressful, so a new plant would have more difficulty in becoming established. Also, most perennials put on seasonal growth spurts and it is best to take advantage of that when you propagate.

Creeping forms of thyme are typically divided in the spring. You could take tip cuttings and root them during June to early July, though. Layering is also an option and can be done now. The new plants are usually well rooted by early September and can be planted in the garden then. The rule of thumb is to plant them at least eight weeks before your ground freezes. This should allow them enough time to become rooted before winter. But, keep an eye on small size, fall planted plants. They may frost heave if your soil undergoes frequent freeze/thaw cycles.

Ivy (Hedera helix) is better transplanted or divided in spring or in early September. It too can be propagated by tip cutting or by layering which can be done now. Then plant the baby plants in early September.

Another aspect is that both of these plants can be trimmed back to control spreading. For the thyme, a shearing and trimming after bloom in the spring can help keep the plants tidy. The ivy can be trimmed back almost any time, as needed.

I hope this helps.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

» Joni Rose - Divide thyme, ivy

Thanks Barb,

We are having a heat wave so from what you say, best to wait a bit. I think I'll just trim a little for now and do my dividing next spring.

The thyme was a great buy as it was little plants that I got at a nursery for under 2 dollars and they have different coloured blooms so it is making a nice pattern and has spread to cover a large area.

The ivy has also spread from a small plant that I bought a couple of years ago and I've trained it around a metal teepee sort of thing (not sure it's gardening name - metal tripod with an ornate metal bit at the top that has rusted nicely). It has grown too much though and is into the stairs so I'll need to cut it back for sure.

» Cottage_Garden - A tuteur

You might have a tuteur. Another one of those French garden terms, like a parterre, a potager or a cloche.

You can make beautiful patterns with thyme, Prince Charles planted a thyme walk that is now sort of famous.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

» Joni Rose - A tuteur

Yes indeed! It is a tuteur and what an elegant name! Sounds much more swish than a metal tripod! LOL!

Thyme smells good too. I have planted 3 kinds and my favorite is a low ground cover (planted near a small upper pond where a dog that lives below me likes to come and visit for a drink). It flowers bright red so it is quite striking.

Prince Charlie knows how to garden.

» Gay_Klok - A tuteur

I think that Autumn [Fall] is quite a good time to transplant - The soil is still warm but you must water well .

Our town garden is swamped by 2 ivies and I am sure they would be quite happy to swamp everything :-] any time and any where.

I suppose it would depend how quickly freezing conditions apply - But in our temperate climate I choose Autumn as my new plants buying time

-- posted by Gay_Klok

» Cottage_Garden - Fall Planting

Gay your Tasmanian climate is so exceptionally wonderful for gardeners! In some parts of the US fall is also the best time for planting, and here in southern California the "rainy" winter season is best.

But in areas where winters are harsh, the rule of thumb for little perennial plants is two months before the ground freezes, so it has to be done by early fall. Woody plants can be planted any time the ground is not actually frozen, so any time in fall is great -- if you can find plants for sale!

In the northeast for example, it is tough to find a selection of plants. Some places will sell off remaining stock from spring and summer, but very few bring in fresh plants. So the selection can be discouraging. If I didn't want it before, I really don't want it now after it has been sitting around at the retailer's for months, especially all summer!

A while back there was a big national campaign on "Fall is for Planting" but I think it has fizzled out. Part of the problem is the retailers do bulb sales and mums, then make a lot of money in fall on all the holiday stuff -- Halloween decor items to Christmas trees, decorations and gifts -- and can't do both that and landscape/garden plants at the same time.

Never sure if it is chicken or egg, though, so no demand and the retailers won't offer it. No product available ... and nobody will shop!

I think many home gardeners do not realize what a great gardening season fall really is. It is also the best time to seed a lawn and get that into shape for the following year (in many areas), and hardly anyone knows that either.

Oh well. I say it every time I get an opportunity so .... I try!

-- posted by Cottage_Garden