Mark

Thank you for sending us pictures of the grass you are concerned about. We can see the die-back in the center of the clump. It appears that the mature plant needs to be divided to allow for room for the new grasses to emerge each spring. This is very critical so that the new grass has a place to grow.

It appears that your ornamental grass plant needs to be cleaned up and divided. Most grasses can benefit from mulching and many from cutting back, usually just before new growth begins in the spring. Use hedge shears and wear gloves to prevent cuts from the razor-sharp edges of some species.

First, remove the dead grass by hand pulling, leaving some of the green plant there. That leaves openings for the new grass to grow in the center. We also suggest that you add new soil around the base of that grass clump. That will provide extra nutrients for the existing plant to flourish. Continue to water the grass clump regularly but not flood it. Watering the root is extremely helpful after the root has been disrupted and on these very hot days.

We have attached some handouts that might be useful in growing your ornamental grasses. Please email if you have more questions.
1068 – Dividing Ornamental Grasses – PlantTalk Colorado.pdf
Ornamental Grasses - 7.232 - Extension (colostate.edu)

Ellen Barry and Courtney Cowgill CMGs