Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> About Gardening

Maiden Grass Center Die-Out: Divide and Conquer

A dead center (“halo” effect) results from not cutting the clump down to 4–6″ each February. Debris accumulates, blocking new shoots. Fix: dig up the whole clump, divide into quarters, replant three elsewhere and one in the original spot. Loosen soil widely around each division. They’ll regrow vigorously—just remember severe February cutback.

About Gardening: Troubleshooting Brown Stripes on Zebra Grass; Ornamental Grasses: Texture, Movement, and Low-Maintenance Beauty; Pruning Ornamental Shrubs: Tools, Timing & Techniques for Health and Beauty; Pruning Seed Heads from Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus 'Strictus'): Aesthetic Choice Without Harm; Peach Tree Open Center Pruning: Wine Glass Shape; Open-Center Pruning for Peach Trees: Creating a Wine-Glass Shape; Rejuvenating a Hollow-Center Pampas Grass Clump; Ornamental Grasses for Deck Privacy: Container Solutions; Reviving Overgrown Pampas Grass Through Division; Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses in Winter

Garden Articles

Propagating Ornamental Grasses: Seed vs. Division

Transplanting Ornamental Grass: Late Summer Best, But Summer Works

Controlling Invasive Blue Dune Grass (Leymus arenarius)

Ornamental Grass Seed: Color, Texture & Climate Matches for Every Garden

Bamboo Muhly Grass: Graceful Texture for Southern Gardens

Ornamental Grass 101: Choosing, Planting, and Maintaining Grasses

How to Grow Ornamental Grass

Plants

Ornamental Grass Nurseries: Expert Selection for Perfect Placement

Essential Tools for Pruning Pampas Grass

Ribbon Grass 'Picta' (Phalaris arundinacea): A Variegated, Spreading Grass for Wet Sites

Ornamental Grasses: Adding Texture and Movement to Your Landscape

Reviving Pampas Grass with a Dead Center

Dividing Ornamental Grasses: Timing Matters

When to Plant Ornamental Grasses: Spring, Not Fall