I usually dig up and pry apart, but you probably could use a shovel and just cut them in half. They are not as hard as they look like to dig up and split.

Yes, me too (although mine are in pots)...but I am leaving this until spring as it has been my sad experience that doing it now causes the roots to turn to brown mush whereas I have had much better luck splitting them in spring. It is as easy to dig the whole clump and break apart in several clumps rather than trying to slice pieces of while still in the ground - although I just tip mine out of the pot (apart from the ones where the bloody rim turns inwards - sigh, I never learn).

Since the suggestions came from both sides of the pond, and no one said " oh my gosh, don't do that". I took advantage of our gorgeous fall weather and chopped away. I was able to separate a few clumps without digging up the whole thing. I replanted what I dug up (they had lots of roots), watered and added some root stimutator. Now it's watch and wait to see how they do. The blooms are so spectacular each year. My favorite in my yard. Thanks for your responses.

char, we may be headed for a late Nov art museum trip to TX (Dallas/Ft Worth, Austin, Houston,+ a coast spot if whooping cranes have arrived.) When we visited over Xmas years ago, Tx was grey and bleak; no tree leaves left on, no green grass. Might it be better in Nov , do you think?
thx, mindy

Mindy, I wish I had better news, but according to the Farmers Almanac, your trip may be dotted with rain and cool weather. They say your best bet is Nov 24-26 for sunny and nice. Not much of a window. October is the month to visit for nice weather. At least you will be indoors for your museum visits.
A visit to Port Aransas or Matagorda might provide views of the whooping crane, but bring a warm jacket and umbrella. Who knows maybe the weather will be great when you are here. I hope so.