Pampas grass is extremely vigorous. In order for it to bloom profusely year after year, it must be skilfully pruned. We'll show you how.
Ornamental grasses have become fashionable again in our latitudes for a few years. They beautify our front gardens and balconies in their own, very special way. Above all, there is a great demand for representatives of the genus of pampas grasses (Cortaderia), here mainly after the American pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). Because the enormous ornamental value in the garden is undisputed - even when it has dried up in winter. However, so that the ornamental grass can sprout again and vigorously after the winter, it should definitely be cut. However, if it is not known exactly how this works, fatal mistakes can also be made here, which in case of doubt can even endanger the life of the pampas grass.
Do you have to cut pampas grass?
Pampas grass does not require a lot of care. In order for it to develop well, however, it should be pruned radically in spring. Since the plant keeps sprouting from the mother plant, i.e. forming a so-called nest, enough space must be created for the new shoots. This is the only way for the grass to develop optimally. In late autumn or at the beginning of winter, the leaves of the pampas grass dry up. However, they do not fall off by themselves and should not be cut off in the fall. It is better to tie the shoots together in the upper area before the first frost. This is how your pampas grass gets its first winter protection from the protective leaves.
Attention: Even when withered, the sharp-edged leaves can still cause cuts. Please always wear sturdy gardening gloves when working with the pampas grass.
When should you cut pampas grass?
Pampas grass should always be cut in the spring when the days have become frost-free. The inside of the stem of pampas grass is hollow. If you were to trim your pampas grass in the fall, water would collect there and the plants don't like that at all. They would rot and even the frost would have an easy time thanks to a large, unprotected attack surface.
Cut pampas grass when you see the first shoots
The first shoots of the new year sprout from the parent plant's eyrie in early spring. As soon as the young shoots have reached a length of about 10 to 15 cm, you can cut off the old leaves or shoots that were tied together the previous year above the new shoots. Depending on the weather, and thus depending on the time of the new shoots, the plant can be cut back from March to May.
How to cut pampas grass?
It is worth preparing a few things for pruning the pampas grass. Pampas grass leaves are very sharp and some even have barbs as a protective mechanism. Be sure to wear a long-sleeved top and long pants. Cut-resistant gardening gloves and safety goggles will protect you from any potential hazards. Sharp pruning shears are sufficient as a cutting tool.
To cut the pampas grass in the spring after the last frost, first loosen the ribbon you used to tie the ears and leaves together in the fall. Now grab small bundles of leaves and stalks just above the plant clump one after the other and carefully cut them off at a height of about 20 cm. Please pay attention to the new shoots that are already appearing so that they are not damaged. The new growth now has enough space and gets enough light. So nothing stands in the way of a new beautiful bloom.
on what you at Planting pampas grass You can find out here.
tip: In addition to pruning, you should also fertilize your pampas grass in the spring. For this we recommend a primarily organic long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer.
