Ornamental grasses add texture and movement to your garden throughout the year, but knowing when to cut them back is key to maintaining their health and appearance. Whether you choose to prune them now in the fall or wait until early spring, timing and technique make all the difference.
Why Cut Back Ornamental Grasses?
Cutting back ornamental grasses removes dead growth, promotes healthy new shoots, and prevents your garden from looking unkempt. It also reduces the risk of pests and diseases that can linger in the old foliage.
Cutting Back in Fall
Many gardeners prefer to trim grasses in the fall for a tidy winter landscape. This method eliminates the dead stalks, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with them later. However, leaving grasses through the winter can provide habitat for wildlife and protect roots from extreme cold.
Cutting Back in Early Spring
Waiting until early spring to cut back your ornamental grasses allows them to add winter interest to your garden with their elegant, frosted plumes. Additionally, the dried stalks can act as natural mulch, insulating the roots during freezing temperatures. Trim them down before new growth appears to avoid damaging the fresh shoots.
Winter can cause unprotected ornamental grasses to become brittle, rot from excess moisture, or suffer root damage from freezing temperatures, impacting their growth in spring.
How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
- Use sharp shears or pruning tools to make clean cuts.
- Trim grasses down to about 4-6 inches above the ground.
- Gather and dispose of trimmings to prevent pests or mold.
- Apply a fresh layer of mulch to protect the base and roots.
What’s Best for Colorado Springs?
In Colorado Springs, where winters can be unpredictable, cutting back grasses in early spring may offer better protection from frost and preserve visual appeal during the colder months. If you prefer a clean look for winter, cutting them in the fall is perfectly fine as long as you mulch to protect the roots.
Need Help? Let Affordable Services Landscaping Do the Work!
Cutting back ornamental grasses can be time-consuming, but our team at Affordable Services Landscaping has the tools and expertise to handle it for you. Contact us today for a professional trim, so your garden is ready to thrive come spring!