Transplanting Ornamental Grasses: A Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing and Moving Your Favorites

As an ornamental grass aficionado, you love their graceful motion and unique textures But perhaps your grasses have overgrown or aren’t thriving anymore Don’t give up on them yet! With some careful digging and dividing, you can successfully transplant ornamental grasses to rejuvenate and multiply them.

Dividing overgrown clumps keeps ornamental grasses healthy and vigorous. Transplanting also allows you to propagate new plants for free. Follow this handy guide to transplanting ornamental grasses while minimizing shock. Soon you’ll have beautiful grasses bouncing in the breeze across your landscape.

When to Transplant Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are very resilient plants. Here are some optimal times to transplant them

• Early spring: Divide grasses as new growth resumes. Transplant them while still small for quicker recovery.

• Late summer Wait untilgrasses are fully grown then dig and divide before they go dormant for winter.

• Fall: Transplant grasses in early fall at least 6 weeks before first frost so roots can establish before winter dormancy.

• Winter: Evergreens like pampas grass can be divided in winter while dormant. Deciduous grasses should be transplanted while growing.

Aim to divide ornamental grasses every 2-4 years as needed to maintain their vigor and prevent overcrowding.

How to Transplant Ornamental Grasses

With the right tools and techniques, transplanting ornamental grasses is straightforward:

1. Prepare New Planting Area

Amend new garden beds with compost and prepare holes large enough for divisions. Space transplants appropriately for mature sizes.

2. Water Grasses Well in Advance

1-2 days before, deeply water the area around grasses to be divided. Moist soil will help reduce transplant shock and make digging easier.

3. Dig Up Entire Clumps

Use a sharp shovel or spade to dig around and under the entire grass clump. Try to keep as much of the root mass intact as possible.

4. Gently Divide Root Balls

Carefully shake or tease apart clumps into smaller divisions of 3-5 hearty stems each. Use pruning shears to cut any thick tuberous roots or stems.

5. Rapidly Replant Divisions

Quickly replant divisions in prepared beds at proper spacing and depth. Firm soil around roots and water deeply. Don’t let roots dry out.

6. Provide Aftercare as Needed

Watch for signs of transplant stress like wilting. Water consistently as needed until established. Stake floppy stems if necessary.

With attentive care, your transplants will establish quickly and resume vigorous growth.

Caring for Newly Transplanted Ornamental Grasses

Here are some tips for reducing transplant stress and helping grasses establish:

• Water thoroughly and consistently after transplanting, never letting roots dry out while new ones grow.

• Apply organic mulch around new plantings to retain moisture and discourage weeds.

• Stake any floppy stems or growth to avoid damage until root systems regrow.

• Watch for pests and diseases, though grasses are typically resilient.

• Be patient – growth may be slow at first. Healthy roots will soon support vigorous growth.

With time and care, your transplanted grasses will grow happily in their new homes.

What to Do with Extra Divided Ornamental Grasses

You’ll likely end up with surplus grass divisions after transplanting. Here are some ideas:

• Plant extras in containers. Grasses make lovely upright accents in pots.

• Use extra divisions to start new ornamental grass beds and borders.

• Give or sell spare transplants to gardening friends, neighbors, or community gardens.

• Donate overstock to schools, nurseries, or conservation groups for their landscapes.

Share and spread your beautiful grasses far and wide for everyone to enjoy!

Troubleshooting Common Ornamental Grass Transplant Problems

While relatively straightforward, potential issues can crop up when dividing grasses:

• Damaged roots: Gently tease apart root balls and replant immediately to avoid ripping delicate roots.

• Floppy growth: Stems may droop after transplanting. Support with stakes until new roots establish to hold them up.

• Slow regrowth: Patience is key! Water consistently and allow enough time for new root development before foliage takes off.

• Little to no blooms: Flowering may decrease the first year after dividing as plants focus energy below ground.

Have faith in the resilience of ornamental grasses. With attentive care, they’ll bounce back more beautifully than ever!

Tips for Transplanting Ornamental Grasses Successfully

Follow these tips when dividing ornamental grasses for best results:

• Select a cool, cloudy day to minimize transplant stress. Avoid hot, sunny weather.

• Use sharp tools to cleanly cut through roots and stems without shredding or tearing.

• Water transplants very consistently until well established. Grasses dislike dried out soil.

• Plant divisions at the same depth they were originally growing. Don’t plant too deeply.

• Apply organic mulch around new plantings to maintain soil moisture and temperature.

• Be patient! Allow sufficient time for root recovery before expecting vigorous top growth.

With proper care, your ornamental grasses will reward you with vigorous new expansion and bountiful blooms.

Enjoy the Renewed Splendor of Healthy Grasses

Transplanting and dividing is so beneficial for keeping ornamental grasses thriving year after year. With time and care, your transplants will establish and grow vigorously in their new homes.

Soon you’ll see new foliage unfurl from the ground up. Graceful stems will sway in the breeze once rooted securely. Blooms will return, even more bountifully, on the refreshed plants.

Don’t be afraid to get hands dirty splitting your overgrown grasses. By reducing crowding and rejuvenating roots, you’ve given them the best shot at continued success. Sit back and enjoy their revitalized beauty. Those flowing grasses will bring you joy for many years to come.