Cutting Back, Replanting & Dividing Ornamental Grasses 

I am in Illinois Zone 5. I used your tip to dig out the middle and remove the dead roots. I had no idea how it would work at first, but I have to say it worked like a charm!! The grass is filling in beautifully. Thank you for the tip!!

Thank you so much for your quick response and the great advice!! I will take your advice and cut them back in the spring!!thanks again!!

Did you ever come back and look to see if the miscanthus had grown back into the fresh soil you put in the center?

Tall ornamental grasses are so beautiful. However, I always wondered how easy/hard they would be to keep under control. It helped me a lot when you showed all the different tools a person could use for maintaining the grass clumps. You made it look easy. Thank you!

This video was well done. Great teaching techniques. Thank y’all so much!

I like your saws-all method to cut through the root ball. My plants are so mature I had to use a hatchet.

Do you check first that there are no birds nesting or baby bunnies, before cutting? Some people burn them.

When is the best time to cut back ornamental grass. We live in Niagara falls and get a lot of snow! I would really appreciate an answer!! Thanks!!

i trimmed one of my grass plants down like that and it never grew back.I'M=m thinking of trying to divide my remaining one to replant in its spot ,any thoughts?

Did the ornamental grass grow back in the reconditioned center?

It was nice that you showed how to divide a large root ball. I was worried that the grass would start to put out runners. I was thinking that I would have had to dig out the whole root ball. thank you.

How did placing new soil in the center of grass work for you ?

I really like the auger idea I will try that next spring or late winter.

I have numerous 5-7 foot tall grasses and really like that the center gets hollow/bare. That's because I use the largest round tomato cages, placed in each middle, to support the grass as it grows. It doesn't show once the grass is at or above the height of the cage. I tie a string to the tomato cage on a rear rung (whichever height is best, usually starting with the middle height), bring it around the grass, and tie it again in the back of the cage. I adjust the tightness so the grass still looks natural as it grows. It keeps the grass from drooping or falling over once it gets tall and heavy and gets hit with wind and rain. Additional string can be put at other heights and can be adjusted/tightened as needed. Could not maintain the grasses without the tomato cages. So much easier with the center of the grass gone.

Thank you for this. A couple my mom had last year died so I wanted to surprise her by putting some where those that died were at. Weird to ask how to grow grass I mean it will grow anywhere right 😆 ❤❤❤❤LET YOUR LOVE LIGHT SHINE ✨ ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thank you. What electric tool are you using to cut it?

I've been looking for this type of instruction. Watched 5 others and not one talked about the relocating or thinking out of the crown. It's looks like a horse show. Thanks for this vid!

I have a few of these grasses on the side of my house. The two on each end of the four I have are not growing. The other two are growing. What can I fertilize them with to revive by then if possible. Thank you.

That gal knows how to trim a bush, I'll give her that!

Hi. Was that a sawzall you were using to cut the roots?

Will pampas grass grow in the shade?

Great video. Would it be ok to divide the grasses now while they are growing?

Excellent information thank you! I have enjoyed watching my miscanthus and zebra grasses grow tall and thick, and separating them to replant has been quite the chore. This video has helped me a ton! TFS👍🏻

Did you find it grew back in the middle?

That’s a little too crazy. I just cut it down in the spring and the new grass grows around it. Just keep trimming it

How much do you want us to cut. To here?

Did the grass ever grow back into the center?

Late winter/ early spring. Got it

Can you give these grasses cows

Great information to know as I just planted my 1st ever ornamental grasses last fall.

does this apply to all forms of ornamental grasses such as Muhly, Maiden Grass, and Japanese Spear grass?

I'm wondering how that grass worked out that you augured? Good to know you can use the hedge trimmer. My hand sure gets worn out with all my grasses!

Thanks! I needed help

Very helpful thank you honey, definitely a good idea to wear safety glasses and gloves.

Can you provide an update on auguring the center of the crown?

Excellent video

this is helpful! thx from NYC

Great video