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How to Grow Ornamental Grasses Last Updated: 03/01/2012 |
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How to look after ornamental grasses Grasses are a generally hardy, easy to look after group of plants. Some will grow happily in shade but by far the majority prefer a sunny open position. Some will grow in moist or even waterlogged conditions but most prefer an average to dry soil. A few, like the pennisetums or fountain grasses, demanding excellent drainage to give off their best. In my garden, cutting back borders in the autumn is a thing of the past. An annual spring clean, cutting down, weeding and tidying anytime from late February to early April is not only less work, it is more beneficial to wildlife by providing food and shelter, and allows the grasses to provide us with a seasons worth of subtle drama and interest. The deciduous group includes all the larger wow factor grasses such as pennisetum, miscanthus, panicum and calamagrostis whose stems while turning beige in autumn stay intact for the winter months and which subsequently need cutting back anytime from late February though to the end of March. Pruning simply consists of cutting the old growths off at ground level to make way for the new seasons growth. If the old stems are to be removed and composted then the stems can be conveniently removed in one piece with a cut to the base. However it is becoming accepted practice to leave the old stems on the border as a mulch in which case the old growths should be cut in smaller sections. Large old clumps which have begun to lose vigour can be divided in the spring. The evergreens are a little more fussy in that cutting back should only be done when the plant is actively growing say from April through to July - and then only if needed. If they are looking good then nothing needs to be done except perhaps the removal of dead stems and leaves to keep them tidy. Only if they are beginning to look tired should they be cut back and then only about a third to half the foliage should be removed.
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