Hey blackie57,

I don't think pennisetum's are all that hard to divide. Sounds like you have no choice at this point, since the plant may be heading downhill without some dividing.

I'd not take it down hard, maybe only into fist sized clumps, definitely not into singles. Save a pretty large clump in case the smaller ones bite the dust.

Don't trim down too hard either and keep a decent amount of root on each division/clump. Now is the time in zone 5, so I'd give it a try. Hope it goes well!

Thanks GG...its a pretty good sized plant and i was thinking of dividing it into 5 or 6 good sized clumps...its just starting to put out new growth. Most of my warm season grasses are ahead of schedule this year due to the uncommon warm spell we have for about two weeks a couple of weeks back.

crazy up and down weather, huh?!

Fall Follow-up:

So I divided the Pennesetum into four beautiful clumps and took them to my daughters new house, and planted them in front of her front porch along with some day lilies and May Night Salvia. They came back like gang busters and put out beautiful plumes this fall. The have been touched by a bit of frost now and have those incredible orange hue to the tips of the foliage...needless to say, I'll be dividing more grasses next year. that Monster Morning Light is getting to the point where if I don't do it I never will...Maybe I can hire someone with a bobcat to dig it out ???

hmmmmm, Paul Bunyan here we come!(after Mr.Backhoe that is)
best,
mindy