Moving Elephant Grass?

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by fumanchu, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. fumanchu

    fumanchu Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Messages:
    422
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Retired thankugod
    Location:
    Peebles Scotland
    Ratings:
    +459
    I have a big clump of this stuff growing in the wrong p;lace. How hard is it to move and when should it be done? TY!
    EDITED: it's this stuff I think:
    Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
    fumanchu, Jul 15, 2019
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2019
    Messages:
    48,096
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +100,851
    Hi fumanchu, if what you have is " Napier Grass" then I doubt that many of the GC Gang either grow it or have experience of moving it. However, I think it might not be disimilar to moving clumps of, say, Sunningdale Silver Pampus Grass:dunno: To do that that I dug around the clump and then under it to free it and drag it to a new position. The clump was very heavy when I moved it so I split it to smaller pieces before moving it and replanting them.
     
    • Like Like x 1
      ARMANDII, Jul 15, 2019
      #2 Quote in Conversation
    • fumanchu

      fumanchu Gardener

      Joined:
      Mar 17, 2013
      Messages:
      422
      Gender:
      Female
      Occupation:
      Retired thankugod
      Location:
      Peebles Scotland
      Ratings:
      +459
      I'm sorry I don't know the proper name, it's variegated white and green and very pretty, but it's huge and it's in my way :biggrin: What time of year is best to move it? It currently has feathery seed bits on the ends.
      Just googled and it looks very like this: We just call it the elephant grass!
      Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
       
      fumanchu, Jul 16, 2019
      #3 Quote in Conversation
    • Freddy

      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

      Joined:
      Jul 15, 2007
      Messages:
      9,466
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - yay!
      Location:
      Bristol
      Ratings:
      +12,519
      I’d suggest moving it while it’s dormant.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Agree Agree x 1
        Freddy, Jul 16, 2019
        #4 Quote in Conversation
      • fumanchu

        fumanchu Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 17, 2013
        Messages:
        422
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired thankugod
        Location:
        Peebles Scotland
        Ratings:
        +459
        Blast. :biggrin: That means I need to have patience.. Ok thank you!
         
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
          fumanchu, Jul 16, 2019
          #5 Quote in Conversation
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jan 12, 2019
          Messages:
          48,096
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +100,851
          Hi fumanchu,

          Well, it does sound like Zebrinus which can get to more than 7ft tall and 5ft wide, So, going on that assumption, Freddy is right...........


          So any mild day in Winter would be the time. Be warned that it is a hard job digging the clump out as well as splitting it. You will need a sharp spade and a fork to split it; you might even need to saw through the tough root mass of the Grass. Cutting the grass in Winter will also reduce the weight of the clump and make it easier to handle and move. If the clump(s) are heavy and difficult to move then try sliding the clump(s) onto a tarpaulin and then dragging it to the new site if nearby.
          The more hands on the job the merrier!:)
           
          • Agree Agree x 1
            Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
            ARMANDII, Jul 16, 2019
            #6 Quote in Conversation
          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

            Joined:
            Jul 15, 2007
            Messages:
            9,466
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired - yay!
            Location:
            Bristol
            Ratings:
            +12,519
            Not the same thing, but I dug this up when it was dormant to reduce the size and to propagate. Picture taken last year...

            A5F73AD7-FD16-4DC1-9B6E-BA684C145AD0.jpeg

            I found the roots to be very fibrous and dense, and was fairly easy to dig up. To divide, I started with a spade and gave up. Decided to use an old saw and it cut through very easily. I have a Miscanthus ‘Zebrinus’ in the garden that I brought with me. From memory, it wasn’t too difficult to dig up, although I did have to try to retain a certain amount of soil as it had already started into growth.
             
            • Like Like x 1
              Freddy, Jul 16, 2019
              #7 Quote in Conversation
            Gardeners Corner is dependent on Donation to keep running, if you enjoy using Gardeners Corner, please consider donating to help us with our operating costs.
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - Moving Elephant Grass
            1. Emjay

              Moving a tree

              Emjay, Oct 11, 2025, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              7
              Views:
              720
              fairygirl
              Oct 19, 2025
            2. ChrisIB

              Moving concrete blocks

              ChrisIB, Jun 25, 2025, in forum: Garden Projects and DIY
              Replies:
              14
              Views:
              1,033
              lizzie27
              Jun 26, 2025
            3. Purple Streaks

              removing leaves from tomatoes .....what not to do

              Purple Streaks, May 28, 2025, in forum: Propagation This Month
              Replies:
              20
              Views:
              1,872
              pete
              May 29, 2025
            4. james_uk

              Much difference between Nilfisk Core 150 vs Core 140 for removing fetilizer stains?

              james_uk, May 11, 2025, in forum: Tools And Equipment
              Replies:
              2
              Views:
              1,624
              Emptyheadtime
              May 13, 2025
            5. Longsandsgardener

              Moving a young Apple tree

              Longsandsgardener, May 2, 2025, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              1,020
              Longsandsgardener
              May 2, 2025

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice