Pruning Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grass is a beautiful garden plant that brings structure and movement to the garden. To ensure that ornamental grass remains healthy and beautiful, it is important to prune it correctly and at the right time. In this blog, we tell you everything about pruning ornamental grasses, which varieties you are better off not pruning, and provide tips for maintenance.

When to prune ornamental grass?

Ornamental grasses have different growth cycles and require pruning at the right time to maintain their health and appearance. Many species retain their dry foliage in winter, which helps protect them from the cold and insulates the roots against low temperatures. The old foliage also serves as a form of protection against frost. Only in early spring, when the risk of severe cold has passed, is it time to cut away this old foliage. By doing so, you give the plant room to develop new shoots, which contributes to healthy growth in the new season.

Which month to prune ornamental grass?

The best month to prune ornamental grass is March, just before the new growth cycle begins. This prevents damage to the young shoots and gives the plant sufficient time to develop new shoots. It is advisable not to prune in the autumn, as the old foliage provides protection against frost in winter and insulates the roots against cold temperatures.

Ornamental grasses that you should not prune

Not all ornamental grasses benefit from heavy pruning. Evergreen ornamental grasses, such as Carex and Liriope, retain their leaves throughout the year and only need to be lightly tidied up. Removing dead, damaged, or wilted leaves is sufficient to keep the plant looking neat and promote its health. Drastic pruning of these evergreen grasses can cause damage by removing important protective layers and can slow their growth. It is therefore important to pay attention to the type of ornamental grass in your garden so that you can apply the correct care and pruning without disturbing the plant too much.

How to prune ornamental grass?

Pruning ornamental grass is a simple job if you use the right approach. By pruning the grass at the right time and with the right technique, it remains healthy and gets the chance to sprout beautifully again in the spring. Follow these steps to effectively prune ornamental grass.

Step 1: Choose the right time

Ideally, prune ornamental grass in early spring, before new growth begins. This is usually between February and April, depending on the weather.

Step 2: Gather your tools

Use sharp pruning shears or hedge shears, depending on the size of the grass clump. Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp leaf edges.

Step 3: Remove dead leaves

First, remove all dead and loose leaves that have remained during the winter. This helps to prevent suffocation and mold formation.

Step 4: Tie large clumps together

If you have a large clump of ornamental grass, such as pampas grass or fountain grass, tie it together with a rope. This makes pruning easier and ensures a neat result.

Step 5: Prune the grass back

Cut the grass clump back to about 10-15 cm above the ground. This stimulates new, fresh growth and prevents old, withered leaves from suffocating the new grass.

Step 6: Finish neatly

Clean up the pruning waste and check for mold or rot in the remaining grass clump. This way, the grass stays healthy and ready for a new growing season.

By following these simple steps, you keep your ornamental grass in top condition and enjoy a fresh and full planting season!

Pruning ornamental grass with hedge shears

For larger clumps, such as pampas grass or fountain grass, hedge shears are ideal. Tie the clumps together with string or a piece of burlap and then cut them off in one movement to about 10-15 cm above the ground. This prevents a messy pruning process and keeps your garden tidy. When using hedge shears, it is important not to cut the grass back too far, as this can weaken the plant.

How short can you prune ornamental grasses?

Most ornamental grasses can be pruned back to about 10 to 15 cm above the ground. This stimulates growth without weakening the plant. Make sure not to prune too close to the roots, as this can damage the plant. For finer grass varieties, such as feather grass, a light pruning or even gently combing out the grass clump by hand may be sufficient to make it look neat without disturbing the plant.

Cutting ornamental grass in the summer

Generally, ornamental grass is not pruned in the summer, unless it involves light maintenance pruning. Removing spent flower spikes or withered leaves helps the plant look fresh and well-groomed. This can also help stimulate the plant to develop new shoots. However, heavy pruning in the summer should be avoided, as this can disrupt growth and make the plant more susceptible to drying out or stress. If you need to trim ornamental grass in the summer, limit yourself to removing only what is necessary, such as dead leaves or flowers.

Pruning different grass species

Below you will find an overview of popular types of ornamental grasses and how best to prune them:

• Sedge) requires only light care. Gently comb out the grass by hand to remove dead leaves. This way, you prune the Carex without causing damage to the roots or growth, while keeping the plant looking neat.
  Read more: Carex Pruning

• Pruning Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima): Feather Grass is a delicate grass species which are best carefully removed by hand or a rake. Remove only the dead leaves and ensure you do not damage the fine blades of grass, so that the plant retains its airy appearance.

• Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides): Prune Fountain Grass back in March to about 10-15 cm above the ground. This stimulates healthy growth and ensures that the grass can recover well from the winter.

• Pruning Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca): Blue Fescue has compact growth and should not be pruned too deeply. Only remove the dead leaves in the spring for a fresh appearance. This prevents you from cutting the plant back too much, which could harm its aesthetics and health.

• Pruning Luzula nivea: Luzula nivea, also known as snow grass, is an evergreen grass that requires little pruning. Carefully remove dead leaves and excess branches in the spring. Do not prune the grass too short, as it needs its foliage to protect the roots from the cold during the winter. A light refresh in the spring is sufficient to keep the plant looking healthy.