Flower Gardens

» 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