Ornamental Grasses

Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses

This month is the time to cut back ornamental grasses so new growth stands out and looks its best. In nature, the old growth on grass plants is browsed upon by animals, packed down by snowfall or disposed of by wildfire.

Since none of these events are going to occur in our yards we have to remove last year’s growth and dispose it in a compost pile. The old growth should be cut approximately eight-inches above ground level.

In mid-April we should apply a general purpose fertilizer to promote the growth of new grass foliage. Some of your grass plants will begin to show new foliage in March. These are called cool season grasses such as Karl Forester Feather Reed grass. Others will not begin to green up until later in the season which are considered season grasses like Dwarf Fountain Grass.