What are Clump Forming Plants?

Hello all

I hope you are well.

Be warned, possible stupid question incoming.

Also, the first person that says Clump Forming Plants grow in Clumps gets to stand in the corner

From what I understand, clumps of the parent plant grow separate from the parent plant and is how they multiply or spread, is that correct?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Well to me, clump forming plants tend to grow outwards, mostly herbaceous plants, but not entirely.
Often they do that old trick of dying off in the middle and the best parts are forming a ring around the outside.
They are usually easily propagated by dividing the roots and crowns up into smaller pieces and replanting.

 

Hello @pete

Thanks for the reply.

So, in effect they spread?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Well yeah, they tend to form "clumps"

Hosta is a good example, the root area gets a bit bigger each year from a "crown" of shoots at ground level.

 

Hello @pete

Thanks for the reply.

So, do the plants create separate clumps apart from the parent or does the parent clump just get bigger?

I am learning, bit by bit

Now, off to the corner for you

Thanks

Kevin

 

Mmmmm, now you got me thinking, there are some plants that move around on underground shoots, kind of modifyied roots called,I think, Stolons, and they pop up a distance away from the parent plant.

Personally I would not call these clump forming, to me a clump forming plant just forms an ever increasing clump moving outwards, and as I say, often the centre of the clump tends to die which is why it is often suggested that you should split such plants every few years.

 

I'd agree with @pete - the sort of thing you're describing is more like strawberries which send out runners that root separately. Clump forming plants just enlarge themselves

 

Hello @CarolineL

Thanks to the reply.

One last question, if I may.

Do the clumps keep growing until divided or is there a point where it will stop growing?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

I think things tend to keep on growing - though as Pete said, the centre often gets manky. The classic example is the sort of plants grown in old fashioned herbaceous borders (delphiniums, sidalcias, poppies etc etc) and the problem was that they'd have to completely dig up the bed every few years, tear the clumps apart and chuck away the old stuff in the middle.

 

Hello @CarolineL

Thanks for the reply.

I think I understand now, I think

The reason this subject has raised its head is that upon doing research on the plants in my garden it became apparent that I have quite a few clump forming plants and was not sure what that meant.

Thanks for the explanation.

Finally, @pete you can come out of the corner now.

Kevin

 

Heuchera's are a good example Kevin. I planted one two years ago and it's more than doubled it's size having got broader. They expand but don't put out new shoots away from the main plant. This kind of plant can be divided if it spreads too much.

 

Hello @Sheal

Thanks for the reply.

Good to know about the Heuchera's as I have some planted by the Patio, the garden was planted before the Patio was laid, and I was wondering if I was going to have to lift them and move them forward slightly to soften the edge, however, from what you are saying, they should expand to grow over the edge thus softening it.

This will save me having to move them.

Thanks

Kevin

 

You're welcome.