How to Cut Back on Fakahatchee Grass

Ornamental grasses, such as fakahatchee, add visual interest to your landscape. This grass grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and spreads to a width of 4 to 6 feet. Its mounds of cascading foliage soften the landscape and add movement as the leaves billow in the wind. When planted in clusters, fakahatchee makes a dramatic statement as a focal point or can be used to create an attractive border for the edges of your yard.

Things You'll Need

• Garden twine or rope
• Hedge shears
• Work gloves
• Chainsaw (optional)

Instructions

1. Tie the clump of fakahatchee grass together with garden twine or rope approximately 8 to 10 inches from the ground in early spring before new growth appears. This makes cutting easier.

2. Cut the grass to the soil level with a pair of sharp hedge shears. Large clumps of ornamental grasses may require a chainsaw to cut them to the ground.

3. Mulch around the base of the fakahatchee grass to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant fakahatchee grass in full to partial sun. It prefers moist soil, but tolerates short periods of drought.

• Fakahatchee does not tolerate salt spray or flooding from salt marshes.

• Fakahatchee prefers soil that is acidic or slightly alkaline.

• Wear protective gloves when cutting back ornamental grasses, as the slender blades of foliage can be sharp.

• Do not attempt to use a chainsaw unless you are experienced in its use.

• Observe all safety precautions.

References

• University of Florida Extension; Plants Growing in Pasco Extension Demonstration Landscape Garden
• Colorado State University Extension; Spring Care of Ornamental Grasses; Roberta Tolan; January 2010
• The Institute for Regional Conservation, Miami; Eastern Gamagrass, Fakahatchee Grass; G.D. Gann, et al.

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Ornamental Grasses