In the wild, primroses are colonising plants that gradually spread from an original clump.
By dividing the clumps, gardeners can take advantage of this tendency to spread to get new plants for free.
Summer through to autumn is the best time to divide them, but you can also try this with newly bought plants, too.
Primroses need to be divided fairly frequently and single crowns of a nice, chunky volume will establish well. Within a couple of years they can be divided again.
Watch Monty Don demonstrate how to divide primroses in the Gardeners’ World clip:
Lift your plant from the ground or empty it from its pot. It’s best to do this on a cool, moist day. Gently tease clumps apart, discarding the old, non-productive centre.
Trim back roots to 10cm to encourage the formation of fine feeding roots.
Plant the clumps in soil enriched with home-made compost and/or leaf mould. Water well.
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