My ornamental grasses obsession has led me to planting a dozen varieties in large numbers over the past 3 years. Now that I have a breathtaking ocean of lush grasses nearing maturity, I still can't help myself wanting to plant even more... But I do stop myself because of the gnawing thought of future maintenance, particularly when it comes to the division of large specimens. All the horror stories about extracting and dividing mature clumps make me wonder why ornamental grasses are often touted as the ultimate "low maintenance plant". I am an enthusiastic gardener and thankfully have the energy and stamina for most tasks, but that is not guaranteed in the future, especially when the task involves such a large number of grasses. My question is - what happens if you don't divide a clumping grass? I know it will start dying out in the center, but how long would it take for a clump to really start showing its decline because it was not divided? I have seen incredible large clumps of Miscanthus in neighbors' yards that are probably 5 feet wide just at the base, and although they are probably dead in the center, the outer growth is dense and healthy, so the overall effect and privacy they provide is still very desirable. Those neighbors are also not too keen on gardening, so I don't imagine their grasses have ever been, or ever will be, divided. I have no idea how old those grasses actually are. My fear is that in a few more years, if I don't divide, I will end up with just some scrappy blades emerging from the edge of a giant, dense, dead mass that will need an excavator to be removed. What is your overall experience on the longevity of large clumping grasses such as the Miscanthus varieties? Have any of you let a grass get by without dividing for many years, and what was the outcome?