With spring around the corner now is the time to perform some routine winter maintenance – cutting back your ornamental grasses. The dried foliage of these plants has provided great fall and winter interest, but to encourage healthy new growth and a neat appearance, this foliage now needs to be removed. Read on for easy step by step directions.
Step 1: Gather foliage and tie together tightly.
By now these plants may have been flattened by rain or snow, so gather the foliage in a bundle to make it easier to handle. Tie this bundle with twine or a bungee cord and make sure you wear gloves, as many of these plants have sharp edges.
Step 2: Cut across the entire grass.
Now that the foliage is easier to handle, use sharp pruners or hedge shears to cut across the entire plant. Depending on how soon you do this, you may see green foliage emerging within the old brown foliage.
Step 3: Leave grass approximately 6 inches tall – ready for spring growth!
Even up the foliage, leaving it approximately 6 inches above ground level. Now that you’ve removed the dried foliage consider adding a fresh coat of mulch to the bed to further neaten up the appearance of your garden. As the weather warms you’ll see new growth begin to emerge – a sign that spring is right around the corner.
Cutting back your ornamental grasses is an important part of seasonal maintenance – it will ensure the health of your plants and keep your garden looking neat and cared for. Need help with winter maintenance or other landscaping projects? Contact Bright Leaf Landscaping at 919-475-1015 or fill out our Online Contact Form. Design and installation are our expertise, and we are always happy to meet with new clients to discuss potential projects!