Over the years, the feather bristle grass forms large clumps that become matted and no longer look pretty. By dividing, the individual perennial can be reduced in size very easily. In this article you will find out what you need to pay attention to and how to proceed correctly.

Pennisetum grass can easily be propagated by division

Why should ornamental grass be divided?

Plants that have grown too large compete with other plants for nutrients. Not only does the lamp cleaner grass then grow less vigorously, the neighboring plants also suffer from the constriction.

By dividing, you get several daughter plants whose properties are absolutely identical to those of the mother plant. Since Pennisetum does not form runners, this is the most uncomplicated way of propagating in the home garden.

Higher-growing feather bristle grasses are suitable as natural privacy screens. For this one you would need a lot of plants. The design measure can be implemented more cost-effectively if you initially only plant a few ornamental grasses and divide them after two to three years.

When should the pennisetum grass be divided?

The best time of year for this care measure is spring, even before the ornamental grass sprouts freshly.

In autumn you should better avoid a division. The newly planted perennials then no longer have time to take root well before winter and may not survive frosty temperatures.

Cut back before dividing

Since Pennisetum overwinters with its leaves tied together, you should trim the ornamental grass before digging it up. Cut all stalks about a hand's breadth above the ground.

Lift the root ball out of the ground and divide

Use a stable digging fork or a spade for this work. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • At a suitable distance around the plant, use the tool to dig up the soil.
  • Use the leverage to get the root ball out of the ground.
  • Shake off the substrate roughly.
  • Cut off any obviously damaged or dead roots with sharp, clean pruning shears.
  • Divide the eyrie into two or three sections with a spade. A saw may be necessary for very large and older plants.

inserting the plants

Now you can put a pennisetum back in its old location and have one or two new plants to fill gaps in the beds.

  • Dig for sufficiently large planting holes.
  • Mix some substrate with mature compost. Work in additional sand in heavily compacted soils.
  • As Pennisetum is sensitive to waterlogging, provide a drainage layer of gravel or sand.
  • Insert sections a few centimeters deeper than before and press down well on the soil.
  • Water thoroughly.

tips

Pennisetum grass has very hard leaves, the edges of which can be razor sharp. You should therefore wear sturdy gloves when working on the ornamental grass.

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Herbs