Cutting Ornamental Grass: A Seasonal Guide

Cutting ornamental grass is a crucial task to maintain its health and appearance. Many ornamental grasses, like Pampas grass, can grow up to 10 feet tall and require regular pruning to prevent them from becoming leggy.

In general, the best time to cut ornamental grass is in late winter or early spring, when the new growth begins to emerge. This allows the plant to put its energy into producing new growth, rather than supporting old, dead foliage.

Cutting ornamental grass to the ground in late winter or early spring also helps to reduce the risk of disease and pests, which can overwinter in the dead foliage.

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Cutting back ornamental grasses can be a bit of a challenge, but it's an essential part of keeping your garden looking neat and tidy.

The best time to cut back ornamental grasses depends on the type of grass you have. Most warm-season grasses should be cut back to ground level, while cool-season grasses should be cut back by two-thirds.

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There are three main types of ornamental grasses: warm-season, cool-season, and evergreen. Each type has its own unique characteristics and requires different care.

Cutting back ornamental grasses is a bit messy, so it's a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands. You can bundle the stalks with wide tape or reusable bungee cords, making it easier to cut them back.

To cut back ornamental grasses, start by bundling the stalks together. Then, use pruning shears to cut the grass, either to ground level for warm-season grass or by two-thirds for cool-season grass.

You can also use a power hedge trimmer to cut back thick ornamental grasses. Just be sure to keep the bundle intact as you cut.

After cutting back the ornamental grasses, you'll need to clean up any loose blades of grass. You can use pruning shears to tidy up any stray blades, and then rake the garden area to catch any remaining debris.

If you're composting the dead grass stalks, be sure to cut them into pieces before adding them to the compost pile. This will help speed up decomposition and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden.

On a similar theme: Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grasses typically live for three to 10 years, depending on the species and care they receive. Regular pruning and maintenance can help extend their lifespan and keep them looking their best.

Here are some tips for cutting back ornamental grasses:

By following these tips, you can keep your ornamental grasses looking neat and tidy, and even extend their lifespan with proper care.

Cutting ornamental grasses at the right time is crucial for their health and appearance. The best time to cut warm-season grasses depends on the look you want to achieve.

If you want a tidy garden, cut back warm-season grasses in the fall. This is because they turn brown in winter, and cutting them back in the fall will give your garden a neat appearance. However, if you want to keep some interest in your garden throughout the winter, cut back these grasses in mid to late spring.

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Some common warm-season grasses include northern sea oats, Japanese silver grass, and hardy pampas grass. Cut them severely, right down to the ground, as this will promote new growth.

For cool-season grasses, it's best to cut them back in very early spring. This is because they grow primarily in spring before temperatures exceed 75°F, and in fall when temperatures cool.

Related reading: When to Start Cutting Grass in Spring

Warm-season grasses are a great choice for adding some visual interest to your garden. They begin growing in mid to late spring, or even early summer, and thrive when temperatures rise.

These grasses need to be cut back severely, right down to the ground, to maintain their shape and promote healthy growth. This is best done in the fall if you want a tidy garden, or in mid to late spring if you want to keep some interest in your garden throughout the winter.

Some common warm-season grasses include northern sea oats, Japanese silver grass, hardy pampas grass, perennial fountain grass, switchgrass, and prairie cordgrass. These grasses turn brown in winter, but with proper pruning, they'll come back strong in the spring.

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Cool-season grasses are a great choice for many lawns, but they do require some special care. They grow primarily in spring before temperatures exceed 75°F, and in fall when temperatures cool.

Some examples of cool-season grasses include fescues, blue oat grass (Helictotrichon), tufted air grass (Deschampsia), and autumn moor grass (Sesleria).

To keep your cool-season grasses looking their best, cut them back by two-thirds as soon as the snow clears in the spring. This will help them regrow and thrive in the warmer months.

Pruning too drastically can harm the plant, so it's essential to leave one-third of the grass intact. This will give the plant enough energy to recover and grow back strong.

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As the seasons change, it's essential to consider the needs of your garden, especially when it comes to dormant plants. Pruning dormant grasses can be a bit tricky, but it's a great way to give them a clean slate for the new growing season.

Prune small dormant grasses in late fall to mid-spring, and hold off on cutting them back as long as possible to preserve winter interest and provide food for birds. They'll start to crumple and look messy, but that's when you know it's time to prune.

Cut small dormant grasses back to 3 inches for varieties under 3 feet tall, and to 6 inches for taller varieties. Be sure to leave a couple of inches of leeway between the cut and the crown to avoid rotting the plant out.

Pruning large dormant grasses, like maiden grass, feather reed grass, and giant pheasant's tail grass, is a similar process, but it can be more intimidating due to the sheer size of the foliage. Prune these grasses in late fall to mid-spring, but only after they've fully browned and before new growth starts in the spring.

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Ornamental grasses come in a variety of types, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Some popular types include Fountain Grass, Pampas Grass, and Blue Oat Grass.

Fountain Grass is known for its purple flowers and ability to grow up to 4 feet tall. It's a great choice for adding a pop of color to your garden.

Pampas Grass, on the other hand, is a popular choice for its large, feathery plumes that can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Additional reading: Does Cutting Grass Make It Grow Thicker

Small evergreen grasses are some of the easiest plants to care for in your garden. They fit almost anywhere, have year-round good looks, and need little care.

These little charmers can be cleaned up at any time, but it's best to do so in early to mid-spring for rejuvenation. Simply put on some rubber gloves and run your fingers through the grass as though you were combing its hair, and the spent foliage will come out in easy clumps.

Sometimes, a stronger solution is needed. If your evergreen grasses have been damaged by wind or winter cold, it may be time to go in for the big chop. Use your hand pruners or hedging shears to reduce the height of your grasses by two-thirds.

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Cutting these grasses back too much will allow moisture to gather on their crowns, which can cause rot. It's best to prune back small evergreen grasses no more than every 2 to 3 years to give them time to recover.

Here are some small and evergreen grasses that are easy to care for:

These grasses are perfect for small gardens or containers, and can be pruned to keep them looking their best.

Dividing ornamental grasses is a bit like dividing perennials, but with a few key differences. You'll want to dig up the grass and use your hands, pruning shears, a knife, or a sharp shovel or trowel to cut or pull the clump into several pieces.

Make sure each piece has some healthy roots, or it won't survive. I can tell you from personal experience that grass leaves can be very sharp, so don't forget to wear gloves to protect your hands.

For larger grasses, you'll need to dig and/or pry the clump out of the ground, and you may need to use some serious tools like a crow or pry bar. Be prepared for a workout, as these grasses can be quite tough.

You can use an old hand or hack saw, an axe or hatchet, a very sharp shovel, a reciprocating or concrete saw, or even a chain saw to divide the plant into pieces. Just be aware that a chain saw will tear up the grass a bit, so use it as a last resort.

Here are some tools you can use to divide larger ornamental grasses:

After you've divided the grass, trim off any dead material, replant the pieces, and water thoroughly. Newly divided grasses will need frequent watering while they become established.

To prune your ornamental grass, start by figuring out which category it falls under: evergreen or goes dormant, large or small. This will help you select the best pruning method.

You'll want to wear a good pair of gloves, thick leather gloves are probably best, to protect your hands from sharp edges. Some ornamental grasses can have very sharp edges.

For smaller grasses, a pair of pruning shears will probably be sufficient. Trim about 2/3 of the plant for cool-season grasses.

Tying the grass in a bundle before trimming can make clean up a snap. For short grasses, this might not be possible.

Large, established clumps of grass may require a weed eater, electric or gas powered hedge trimmers, or even a chain saw. Once again, tie the tops together for easier clean up, just toss the bundles into your compost pile.

Most ornamental grasses should be cut in the spring or during the fall, but the exact timing depends on the type grown.

You'll want to cut back deciduous types in early to mid-spring, depending on the species.

Wait until new shoots start to emerge before cutting back, as the old stems will provide attractive structure over winter.

For some deciduous grasses, like Pennisetum orientale, you can delay clipping until late April, as the old stems will protect the crown from cold weather.

Late pruning, from mid-March to April, is also suitable for Miscanthus.

Plan to put down a fresh layer of mulch after pruning, especially for big grasses that make a mess.

Be prepared for the unique challenges of pruning large ornamental grasses. They can have sharp leaf blades that can cause dozens of tiny stinging cuts on your face and arms if you don't take precautions.

Pruning large grasses can be intimidating, especially when they're towering over your head. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves to protect yourself from the blades.

Pruning timing is also important - wait until the plants go fully brown, but before new growth starts in spring. This is usually after the new year, when maiden grasses start shedding their foliage.

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Large and dormant grasses like Maiden grass, feather reed grass, and Giant pheasant's tail grass can be intimidating to prune, especially with their sharp leaf blades.

Pruning should be done yearly, late fall to mid-spring, to preserve winter interest and provide food for birds. Just like with small dormant grasses, it's best to hold off on pruning as long as possible.

You can prune anytime after the plants go fully brown, as long as you do so before they start growing again in spring. Maiden grasses start shedding soon after the new year, so as soon as you notice them making a mess, it's time to prune.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves to protect yourself from the sharp blades of grass. Start by wrapping a piece of rope around the outside of the grass and tie it into a tight column of foliage.

This will help the grass stay bundled as you prune and not explode into pieces everywhere. Use handheld or powered hedging shears to cut the entire grass to about 10 inches tall.

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Uncut ornamental grasses can be a real eyesore. I've been there myself, neglecting my own grasses and feeling guilty about it. It's not just a matter of aesthetics, either - unpruned ornamental grasses can be quite unruly.

You can cut back ornamental grasses at the base of the plant, making it easier to clean up. I tried this method with a friend's hedge trimmer and it worked like a charm. The bundle is easy to carry and makes cleanup a breeze.

However, timing is everything when it comes to cutting back ornamental grasses. If you cut them back too early, it can prolong their "ugly duckling" phase. I've learned this the hard way - waiting until early June seems to be the sweet spot.

Some ornamental grasses are more high-maintenance than others. In my yard, I have a lot of them, and it's become a bit of a challenge to keep them under control. I'm planning to dig up some of the grasses and replace them with woody shrubs and perennials.

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