How to Trim Ornamental Purple Grass at Fountains

Ornamental grasses make attractive accent plants for the rim and edging of fountains, ponds and lakes. There are several ornamental grasses that sport a purple hue such as Muhlenbergia capillaris and Panicum virgatum "Shenandoah," Pennisetum setaceum "Burgundy Giant" and Miscanthus sinensis "Cabaret." Trimming ornamental grasses is a straightforward process and should be done on an annual basis to keep the plants healthy and well-kept. When grown in cold climates, a more substantial pruning regimen may be necessary than when the grasses are grown in temperate or warm climates.

Things You'll Need

• Secateurs
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Cut back all of the dead leaves down to roughly 3 to 5 inches above the soil line. In cold climates this will mean shearing the entire plant. Pull all of the cut stems clear of the clump to make way for new growth.

2. Trim out selective dead, bent or broken grass blades when the plants grow in mild climates and do not die back entirely. Sever the bad blades down to 3 to 5 inches. Carefully collect all of the cuttings to keep the plant healthy and well groomed.

3. Remove grass blades that are low enough to drag in the fountain water. Leaving just blades whose tips float above or kiss the fountains edge or water surface gives a more romantic and well manicured appearance.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune your purple ornamental grass in the early to mid-spring each year.

• Never cut ornamental grasses mid-blade as this destroys that natural form of the plant and you lose the elegant arching of the blades over the fountain's edge.

References

• University of Illinois Extension; Pruning Ornamental Grasses; Ed Billingsly; January 2010
• Clemson University; Ornamental Grasses; Karen Russ and Bob Polomski; September 2007.