Dividing Perennials with Ann Mattingly

Yesterday evening (Wednesday, September 28) I drove over to Yew Dell Botanical Gardens for a program on dividing perennials presented by Yew Dell's Garden Manager, Ann Mattingly. It was a perfect early fall evening to be out in the gardens, and the five of us there had a very good time learning from an expert in a relaxed, hands-on class. (Actually there were six of us there for the presentation -- Persimmon, Yew Dell's friendly feline, joined us for most of the program!)
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Ann did a great job and fielded a multitude of questions from all of us, not just about plant division but about many other gardening points that we raised. The hour and a half passed all too quickly, and we left as the sun was providing us with a truly awesome sunset with divisions from the following plants:

• Siberian Iris 'Lady Vanessa'
• Sedum 'Matrona'
• Hosta 'Lemon Lime'
• A very special fourth plant whose name must remain cloaked in mystery -- how's that for a teaser? :-) My lips are sealed!

I was very happy to have a miniature hosta included in the group, and so H. 'Lemon Lime' (R. Savory, 1977, a registered miniature-leaved hosta, leaf size 3 x 1 in., clump size 7 x 5 in.) is now a new addition to my collection. The others I will share with friends who have more room in their gardens than I do.
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Yew Dell is a very special place, and I encourage local readers of this entry to visit there and support it by becoming a member. For me, it is always well worth the drive over and back to stroll around learning new plants or to participate in one of its excellent educational programs. I'll be going back next month for the director's autumn plant walk.