Ornamental grasses look like they need constant tidying, but most varieties actively prefer being left alone.
Ornamental grasses fall into two care regimes depending on type — deciduous grasses are cut back hard before new shoots appear, while evergreen types are combed through by hand to remove dead blades rather than cut back at all. Timing matters for deciduous types: leave it too late and the cut removes new growth along with the old.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prune | Prune in February | Prune in March | ||||||||||
| Job | Job in March |
Care details
- Prune February – March
Cut deciduous grasses back hard to a few centimetres before new shoots appear — leave it too late and you’ll snip the new growth off with the old.
- Job In March
Comb evergreen types through by hand to remove dead blades, rather than cutting them back.
Growing tips & common problems
- Cut deciduous types back hard before new shoots appear — leave it too late and you'll trim off the new growth too.
- Comb evergreen types through by hand rather than cutting them back, to remove dead blades without losing shape.
- Leave seedheads standing through winter — they add structure to the garden and provide food for birds.
Become a better gardener in just 12 emails
Get one email per month with gardening tips on what to plant and do that month.
100% free • No spam • Unsubscribe any time