Hardy or in need of protection?

The quality of the location determines the degree of winter hardiness - what to watch out for

Botanically the switchgrass is assigned to the winter hardiness zone Z5. This range extends over temperatures from - 23.4 to - 28.8 degrees Celsius. Of course, this robust frost resistance only applies in the ideal location. If you assign the ornamental grass to a sunny, warm and sheltered place, everything is in the green. In heavy, loamy and permanently moist soil, the plant loses its winter hardiness considerably.

This is how switchgrass gets through the winter safely

It is not so much severe frost that causes problems with switchgrass, but rather permanent winter wetness. With these simple measures you can ensure that your ornamental grass retains its vitality during the cold season:

• Do not prune switchgrass in autumn
• Instead, tie the ornamental grass together loosely with a rope
• Place brushwood or pine fronds on the root disc to catch snow and rain

Not until February or March cut Back the grass close to the ground. The measure should be carried out in good time before the fresh shoot so that the fresh-green stalk tips are not affected. Grasp the grass in tufts with your gloved hand and shorten it to a hand's width above the ground.

Container plants are given a winter coat

If a switchgrass thrives in the bucket, the root ball is not as well protected from freezing frost as it is deep in the ground. Therefore, place the vessel on a block of wood and cover it with several layers of jute, fleece or bubble wrap. The substrate is covered with autumn leaves, or peat Sawdust. Unless the location is under a roof overhang or similar rain protection, switchgrass should also be tied together in the pot.