Do not cut off the natural winter protection
The aboveground plant parts of the ornamental grasses - stalks and leaves - serve as natural protection over the winter, among other things, from moisture in the root area. If you cut off the plant parts in autumn, you risk the ornamental grasses suffering from stagnant moisture in winter.
also read
- Ornamental grass - the perfect time to cut
- Under what circumstances should an ornamental grass be overwintered?
- Ready for the winter? How hardy is the ornamental grass?
Why? With the cutting or Shortening the stalks, these are opened and water can enter the tubes. It flows down to the roots, where it can provide moisture. Larger grasses such as this Pampas grass or Chinese reed should be tied together so that they do not bend over in winter.
Reasons that speak against pruning in autumn
Mainly for these reasons, pruning ornamental grasses in autumn is not recommended:
- Straws divert water to the side
- provide shelter for insects and birds
- The risk of rot is considerably reduced by leaving the plant parts in place
- Ornamental grasses serve as a valuable decoration during the dreary winter time (ornamental inflorescences / seed heads)
Spring is the best time to cut
After this Overwinter you can cut your ornamental grass. Spring is the best period came for it between mid-February and early March. The cut should be made before budding or when the new stalks and leaves begin to emerge.
Be careful not to damage the new shoots when cutting! The advantage of pruning is on the one hand that the ornamental grasses now look better and on the other hand that the new shoots can grow unhindered.
Cut down to just above the bottom
How to cut your ornamental grass correctly:
- Gather up in clumps
- a sharp knife or one Secateurs take it to hand
- Cut off the stalks and leaves to just above the ground (10 to 15 cm)
- possibly. Remove dead leaves
Caution: Not all ornamental grasses need to be cut. For some species such as the Feather grass, blue fescue grass and bearskin, all you need to do is comb them with your hands. Alternatively, the dead plant parts can also be pulled out. However, wear gloves to avoid injuring yourself on the sharp-edged leaves!
After cutting, fertilize, divide and multiply
After pruning in spring, the perfect time has come to lightly close the ornamental grasses fertilize for example with compost. This time is also ideal for digging up the ornamental grasses, dividing them and thus rejuvenating and multiplying them.
Tips
If you don't want your ornamental grass to sow itself, you should cut off the inflorescences in autumn.
