Pruning that makes my blood boil
It’s important to get your timing right when pruning in your garden. And this applies to ornamental grasses. Sadly, every year I work on a large site surrounded by wild zones, and one person takes down beautiful Calamagrostis ornamental grasses just as they start to look awesome. It makes my blood boil but I can’t really stop the carnage.
So I complain about it, blog about it, and I educate the rest of the crew.
What’s wrong with these pictures?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with these pictures! Both the Calamagrostis and Miscanthus look beautiful. And many ornamental grasses flower in the fall so enjoy them! I said the same thing in one of my YouTube shorts. Remember to click Like and Subscribe to help me!
Shape
I know that some of you will be muttering about shape. What if the grasses aren’t perfectly erect and symmetrical? What if that bothers you so much, you’re willing to cut them down early? There is another step you can take before cutting them down: tie them up! Yes, you can get string and tie them up. Easy!
Correct pruning time
The best time to prune your ornamental grasses is in late winter or early spring, before they start actively growing. Which means mid-September is way too early for cutback. Instead, relax, sit back and enjoy the grasses moving in the breeze. I could watch them for hours.
What I don’t want to see is the leftover mounds, like these.
Where’s the drama? There’s nothing swaying in the gentle breezes that pass through the complex. Now we have to look at this until early spring; and we won’t see flowers until summer. Shame!
I keep harping on it but this one offender prunes them anyway just to spite me. Why not enjoy the grasses and do something else, like weeding?
Remember, cut back your ornamental grasses in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Don’t do it in mid-September, it’s way too early. Enjoy them!
