Ornamental grasses can add a beautiful and natural touch to any garden or landscape. However, without proper shaping and pruning, they can quickly become overgrown and messy.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, shaping ornamental grass can seem like a daunting task. But fear not! With the right tools and techniques, you can easily shape your ornamental grass to perfection.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shaping ornamental grass, from the best tools to use to the proper techniques for different types of grasses.
So grab your gloves and let’s get started!
How To Shape Ornamental Grass
The first step in shaping your ornamental grass is to gather the necessary tools. For smaller grasses, a pair of hand pruners or pruning shears will suffice. For larger grasses, you may need a power hedge trimmer or even a chainsaw.
Before you begin shaping, it’s important to wear thick gloves to protect your hands from any sharp edges. Once you have your tools and gloves, it’s time to start shaping.
For impromptu touch-ups, grab a bunch of grass blades in one hand, pull them out to the side, and cut with a pair of hand pruners. Repeat throughout. Gather dead or dry-looking canes in your hand and cut down toward the base. To thin out the grass, grab small sections in the middle and cut toward the base, at different heights. Try to leave some height in the middle, then gradually shape a bit lower on the sides. Once it starts blooming, the grass will have a more natural, rounded shape with arching, fountain-like “blades”—hence, the name, fountain grass.
For cool-season grasses, trim about two-thirds of the plant. For many grasses, it is easier to tie the grass in a bundle before trimming. This makes clean up a snap. For short grasses this might not be possible.
For large evergreen “grasses”, subtlety is key when pruning. Selectively prune the oldest or most damaged leaves and cut them out at the base. Use the same technique to prune for size. Grasp the tallest leaves and one by one cut them out as far down towards the base of the plant as possible.
If your plant is overgrown or has significant winter damage, you can prune severely in mid-spring using hedging shears to cut off all foliage at the base. You’ll end up with a mound about 1 foot tall. While cutting off all foliage is not an ideal approach, these varieties grow back quickly and look good again in about four months.
Grasses can be cut back to ground level during winter to about 6” to 12” height. It helps keep a bit of interest in the landscape and provides protection for roots while anchoring new shoots in spring.
Finally, be sure to wear eye protection any time you are pruning spiky grass-like plants. When focusing on removing leaves at the base, it’s easy to lean down and get stabbed in the eyeball with a sharp leaf tip.
Why Shaping Ornamental Grass Is Important
Shaping ornamental grass is an important aspect of maintaining a visually appealing landscape. These grasses are often used as focal points in a garden, and their bold colors and dramatic shapes draw attention. Therefore, it is crucial to prune them correctly, as a poor pruning job can be easily noticed by everyone.
Shaping ornamental grass not only helps in removing dead flowers and ratty leaves, but it also keeps the plants in scale with their surroundings. Moreover, pruning for size and freshening up foliage helps the new growth to be more brilliantly-colored. It also ensures that the grasses remain active and growing, and can help renew older grasses.
Furthermore, proper plant selection can reduce water use and protect water quality. Ornamental grasses are an important part of a landscape professional’s plant palette as they add unique textures and patterns to the landscape, often year-round, with few fertilizer and pesticide applications. Once established, many grasses need little supplemental irrigation and can develop extensive root systems that allow them to withstand periods of drought.
Tools Needed For Shaping Ornamental Grass
To shape ornamental grass, you will need a few essential tools. For smaller grasses, a pair of hand pruners or pruning shears will suffice. These tools are perfect for making impromptu touch-ups and thinning out the grass. If you have larger grasses, you may need a power hedge trimmer or even a chainsaw. This will make the job more manageable and less time-consuming.
It’s important to wear thick gloves to protect your hands from any sharp edges while shaping your ornamental grass. Eye protection is also crucial when working with spiky grass-like plants. You don’t want to lean down and get stabbed in the eyeball with a sharp leaf tip.
For cool-season grasses, it is easier to tie the grass in a bundle before trimming. This makes clean up a snap. For short grasses, this might not be possible. For large evergreen “grasses”, subtlety is key when pruning. Selectively prune the oldest or most damaged leaves and cut them out at the base.
If your plant is overgrown or has significant winter damage, you can prune severely in mid-spring using hedging shears to cut off all foliage at the base. You’ll end up with a mound about 1 foot tall. While cutting off all foliage is not an ideal approach, these varieties grow back quickly and look good again in about four months.
Techniques For Shaping Different Types Of Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each type requires a slightly different approach when it comes to shaping. Here are some techniques for shaping different types of ornamental grass:
1. Cool-season grasses: These grasses should be trimmed about two-thirds of the plant. For many grasses, it is easier to tie the grass in a bundle before trimming, which makes clean up a snap. For short grasses, this might not be possible.
2. Large evergreen “grasses”: Subtlety is key when pruning these types of grasses. Selectively prune the oldest or most damaged leaves and cut them out at the base. Use the same technique to prune for size. Grasp the tallest leaves and one by one cut them out as far down towards the base of the plant as possible.
3. Fountain grass: Once it starts blooming, the grass will have a more natural, rounded shape with arching, fountain-like “blades.” To thin out the grass, grab small sections in the middle and cut toward the base at different heights. Try to leave some height in the middle, then gradually shape a bit lower on the sides.
4. Yucca and Cordyline: Over time, some varieties of Yucca and Cordyline grow quite tall and develop a long trunk. If you don’t want yours to look like a tree from a Dr. Seuss storybook, cut the plant midway down the stem; it should pre-sprout from just under the cut point. In areas where these plants are marginally hardy, however, cut the trunk back by only one third.
5. Severe pruning: If your plant is overgrown or has significant winter damage, you can prune severely in mid-spring using hedging shears to cut off all foliage at the base. You’ll end up with a mound about 1 foot tall. While cutting off all foliage is not an ideal approach, these varieties grow back quickly and look good again in about four months.
Remember to wear thick gloves to protect your hands from any sharp edges and eye protection when pruning spiky grass-like plants. With these techniques, you can shape your ornamental grasses to enhance their beauty and keep them looking healthy throughout the seasons.
When To Shape Ornamental Grass
The best time to shape ornamental grasses is during their dormant period, which is typically in late fall to early spring. During this time, the grass is not actively growing, making it easier to shape without causing damage. Additionally, shaping during this period will not affect the plant’s growth or flowering in the upcoming season.
If you notice that your grass has become too large during the growing season, it can be pruned for shape. Simply shear off a bit of top growth as needed. However, it’s important to note that if you live in a colder climate, be sure to grow varieties that can handle your winter. Some varieties of red and purple grasses are marketed as perennials, but unfortunately, that is only true for warmer winter climates. Always read the labels to be sure they are good for your growing zone.
For warm-season grasses, they turn shades of brown as the weather turns colder. Once they turn brown, you can trim them back at almost any time. If you like to tidy your garden in fall or live in an area where fire can be problematic, trim warm-season grasses so they are just a few inches tall. If fire is generally not a problem in your area, you can leave the dried grasses and seed heads in your garden for winter interest.
Once established, ornamental grasses have few needs. Most gardeners leave their native grasses in place for winter interest and to provide food for birds. The time when you should cut back ornamental grasses is in late winter or early spring. Cut them back to within a few inches of the ground. Cut back before the new shoots grow up through the old or you’ll wind up cutting off the new growth too.
In areas where wildfires are a seasonal concern, cut back grasses in fall to lessen the threat of fire. You’ll know it’s time to divide grasses when a ring of living grass surrounds a dead center. Divide most grasses when they are still short from their post-winter haircut so there’s no foliage to get in the way. This is also the best time to divide grasses that flower in late summer and fall. Use a sharp spade or root saw and separate the living portion of the grass into smaller sections. Replant the sections, water well and enjoy through the seasons.
Tips For Maintaining The Shape Of Your Ornamental Grass
Maintaining the shape of your ornamental grass is essential to keep it looking neat and tidy. Here are some tips to help you maintain the shape of your ornamental grass:
1. Regular pruning: Prune your ornamental grass regularly to keep it in shape. The frequency of pruning depends on the variety of grass you have. Cool-season grasses should be pruned about two-thirds of the plant, while warm-season grasses can be pruned back to ground level during winter.
2. Use the right tools: Use the right tools for pruning your ornamental grass. For smaller grasses, a pair of hand pruners or pruning shears will suffice, while for larger grasses, you may need a power hedge trimmer or even a chainsaw.
3. Wear protective gear: Wear thick gloves and eye protection to protect your hands and eyes from sharp edges.
4. Tie up the grass: Tie up the grass in a bundle before trimming. This makes clean up a snap. For short grasses, this might not be possible.
5. Selectively prune: Selectively prune the oldest or most damaged leaves and cut them out at the base. Grasp the tallest leaves and one by one cut them out as far down towards the base of the plant as possible.
6. Trim gradually: Gradually shape your ornamental grass by leaving some height in the middle and shaping a bit lower on the sides. Once it starts blooming, the grass will have a more natural, rounded shape with arching, fountain-like “blades”.
By following these tips, you can maintain the shape of your ornamental grass and keep it looking beautiful all year round.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Shaping Ornamental Grass
Shaping ornamental grass can be a simple task when done correctly, but there are some common mistakes that should be avoided. One mistake is cutting too much of the plant at once. It’s important to trim only a third of the plant at a time to avoid shock and damage to the plant. Another mistake is cutting the grass too short. Ornamental grass needs some height to maintain its natural shape, so be sure to leave enough length for it to thrive.
Another common mistake is not using the right tools for the job. Using dull or inappropriate tools can damage the plant and make shaping difficult. Always use sharp and appropriate tools for the size of your grass.
It’s also important to avoid cutting the grass too late in the season. Cutting back ornamental grass too late can cause new growth to emerge, which may not have enough time to mature before winter sets in. This can result in damage or even death of the plant.
Lastly, avoid leaving any stubs when trimming your ornamental grass. Leaving stubs can cause damage to the plant and create an entry point for pests and diseases.
By avoiding these common mistakes and following proper shaping techniques, you can keep your ornamental grass healthy and looking beautiful year after year.
