Starflower (Trientalis borealis)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆


(Delicate roots, small size, timing-sensitive)

Best Times to Divide:

  • Early spring, just as new growth emerges from the forest floor

  • Late summer to early fall, after the foliage begins to die back

⚠️ Avoid dividing while in active bloom or during extreme heat.

Signs It’s Ready for Division:

  • A mature patch has slowly spread through a woodland area

  • Individual plants form tight clusters with little space between them

  • You’re seeing crowding or want to transplant to a new area

Steps for Rhizome Division:

  1. Choose a cool, overcast day or work in early morning/late afternoon

  2. Carefully dig around the patch, loosening soil to expose the rhizomes

  3. Gently lift small clusters with a garden fork or trowel

  4. Separate the rhizomes with fingers or snips — each piece should have:

    • At least one shoot or bud

    • Healthy root structure and some attached fine roots

  5. Replant immediately at the same depth they were growing

  6. Water lightly and mulch with leaf litter or pine needles to retain moisture

Aftercare Tips:

  • Starflower prefers moist, acidic, woodland soils with dappled shade

  • Water gently for the first 2–3 weeks after transplanting

  • Avoid disturbing soil once replanted — roots are shallow and sensitive

  • Growth may be slow the first year but should return each spring

Bonus Notes:

  • Starflower spreads very gradually by rhizomes and does not tolerate heavy disturbance

  • Best suited for naturalized woodland gardens or conservation plantings

  • Consider leaving part of a colony untouched to ensure resilience