How to Prune Decorative Grasses
Decorative grasses are now being used more frequently in the home landscape. Their versatility and ease of care make them an attractive addition to any garden, and there are a vast array of cultivars and species available in appealing colors and sizes. Some ornamental grasses are grown as annuals in cooler climates, while some are perennial in all but the most extreme zones. Care of established decorative grasses is minimal and usually involves tidying up the plant. Pruning of ornamental grasses usually starts in late winter and early spring, and can be performed on both evergreen and deciduous grasses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the grass blades. Some of them, such as pampas grass, are serrated and knife-sharp. Evergreen grasses should get a "combing" with your fingers. Start at the base of the grass with your fingers spread and pull upward. You will remove a lot of the dead foliage.
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Trim out any diseased pieces of foliage so they do not spread the problem. Take off the tips of sunburned or bruised blades to improve the appearance of the plant.
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Divide grasses that do not fill out fully anymore or seem to have a dead side. The plant has gotten too big and woody. Use a knife or axe if needed, and split the plant into four to six sections. Replant the healthiest piece. The rest can go to friends or start new plants elsewhere.
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Use grass shears and cut deciduous grass back to within 3 or 4 inches of the soil. Pruners may be needed on tough flower stems. Deciduous grasses benefit from a pruning to remove all the foliage before the new growth begins. Shear the grass in a slight dome shape so you do not cut the new growth, which starts at the center. This also makes an attractive shape.
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References
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