I planted some ornamental grasses for the first time last summer, (having been
gardening for over 40 years!)...and very good they looked too. Can they be cut
back hard at this time of year to encourage new growth ? I know that the blue
varieties are best just left, but what about other types...advice welcomed!
Dave, in Shropshire
Dave Hunt...Shropshire
----share what you know...learn what you don't----

"Dave Hunt" wrote in message
...
I planted some ornamental grasses for the first time last summer, (having
been
gardening for over 40 years!)...and very good they looked too. Can they be
cut
back hard at this time of year to encourage new growth ? I know that the
blue
varieties are best just left, but what about other types...advice
welcomed!


It does very much depend on which you have!

Miscanthus - cut back to 30/40 cm

Stipa - pull gently on old foliage/flower if it comes away easily do so. If
it sticks to a firm tug leave it.

Other evergreen types - tend to leave alone or treat as stipa.

Deciduous forms - cut back the old brown foliage BUT beware you may have
bronze forms of evergreens (!) which you should not cut back!

check out; http://www.abulk.com.au/Grasses/page0011.htm

pk

ect: Ornamental Grasses
From: "Paul Kelly"
Date: 02/04/2003 01:02 GMT Standard Time
Message-id:


"Dave Hunt" wrote in message
...
I planted some ornamental grasses for the first time last summer, (having
been
gardening for over 40 years!)...and very good they looked too. Can they be
cut
back hard at this time of year to encourage new growth ? I know that the
blue
varieties are best just left, but what about other types...advice
welcomed!


It does very much depend on which you have!

Miscanthus - cut back to 30/40 cm

Stipa - pull gently on old foliage/flower if it comes away easily do so. If
it sticks to a firm tug leave it.

Other evergreen types - tend to leave alone or treat as stipa.

Deciduous forms - cut back the old brown foliage BUT beware you may have
bronze forms of evergreens (!) which you should not cut back!

check out; http://www.abulk.com.au/Grasses/page0011.htm


Many thanks Paul...
Dave Hunt...Shropshire
----share what you know...learn what you don't----

I cut all my tall grasses (miscanthus types ) back to the ground about four
weeks ago. It is getting a bit late now as the new shoots will be starting to
appear but you should be ok if you cut a little high. I am told the best way is
to burn them off but mine grow in front of a wooden fence so I've never tried
it.

graham