If you’re tired of cutting your grasses back every year, here are my suggestions for some winter-interest grasses that don’t need pruning. Foliage can be left standing all winter, however, it should be pruned early in spring to make way for new growth. If the grasses are flopping down or failing to flower, they may not be getting enough shade. Moderate, clumping grower to 6 to 8 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide. Full sun. If foliage is left in winter, it will add texture and interest to the winter landscape. Plants should be divided, in spring, every few years, to maintain freshness. About Genevieve. Drought Tolerant. Purple-pink plumes emerge around August. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Missouri Botanical Garden: Miscanthus sinensis, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service: Ornamental Grasses and Grass-Like Plants, Maryland Invasive Species Council: Misgivings over Miscanthus, University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions: Disinfecting Your Garden Tools, How to Keep Ornamental Grasses From Getting Too Big. Mulch with leaves and add a few handfuls of snow from time to time; the latter will act as mulch and provide water during thaws. By winter, many ornamental grasses start to wither. Easy care and waterwise. There are several great options for tools when cutting back ornamental grass. This rule provides that, although it is not possible to be certain that grasses will overwinter successfully in containers, if you select plants that are hardy to two zones colder than your area, they should nearly always survive outdoors in containers over the winter. Brown grass does not always equal dead grass. Yellow-orange to tan fall color. Attracts Birds. Plume stalks are taller. With some varieties reaching upward of 12 feet tall, it can act as a fast-growing garden screen. The violet seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from mid fall to late winter. She is an outdoor lover who spends her weekends tending her raised garden and small orchard of fruit trees. Make your cuts just an inch or two above the crown of the grass and discard the off cuts. How: Even if you choose a sunny day to prune, wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves so the blades of grass don’t cut your skin. Sold as: Pkg of 1. Attractive ornamental grass with fine-textured silver-green blades that turn golden-bronze after first frost. During fall, its foliage begins to turn golden yellow and even orange, fading to a subtler beige during winter. Showy clumps are topped by silvery white blooms in summer, which persist as the foliage turns golden bronze in autumn. #2 Grasses Add Interest & Color To The Winter Landscape. This grass grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity. They delicately change to silver as they mature and provide excellent winter interest. 2.5" plug. Deer Resistant. Elegant tassel-like blooms emerge in late summer and flower a copper color before turning silver by fall. Maiden grass Graziella (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Graziella’ ) is lovely, and many gardeners happily treat these grasses as annuals, leaving them in containers over the winter, where they remain attractive throughout the season – then discarding them in the spring. The foliage often turns tan in fall. Easily grown in average, well-drained soils with consistent moisture. Full Sun. Would that work? Use a shovel or axe to separate the roots, discarding any unhealthy roots. In the photo you can see Roger’s Mini Hoop Houses behind him, he covers them with white plastic for the winter. Clumps of dry maiden grass provide winter interest to the landscape, but pruning in late winter or early spring removes old, dry growth and encourages the emergence of new growth. If you have a few containers, group them close together in a sheltered area (not on pavement or above-ground deck). Maiden grass is a gracefully arching, fine-textured grass that forms dense, green clumps (Fig. Encore Maiden Grass features bold plumes of coppery-bronze flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. If you have a wood eater with a brush-cutting blade, this will work as well, advises Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. They rise gracefully, well above an elegant foliage of narrow, arching, green leaves with white midribs. To grow the strongest stand of plants possible, place miscanthus in well-drained soil with a good amount of organic matter. Growing Adagio maiden grass provides winter interest as well as drought resistance and erosion control. Is there a way we can save the plants? Cut grasses back during winter to about 6″to 12″ height. The 5- to 6-foot-tall clumps bear pink flowers in late summer and fall that can be used for drying or as a dye plant. Not only is it easy to do, cutting back in the winter lets you get a head start before the onslaught of spring landscaping and garden chores hit hard. An ideal time to divide the clumps is after cutting back the maiden grass. Dwarf maiden grass. Gracillimus Maiden Grass Info – … Autumn Light Maiden Grass Growing and Maintenance Tips. Its attractive grassy leaves are green in color. Water thoroughly right before the ground freezes, to provide a supply of water the plants can use when the soil thaws. Hard prune and apply fertilizer in late winter to early spring just before new shoots appear. Maiden grass clumps spread by rhizomes that must be divided every few years. While the grass may brown after late fall, it is not usually until early winter that it sheds and requires its annual trimming. Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurascens’) Most maiden grasses turn a warm tan or gold in fall, but the red-tinged green summer leaves of ‘Purpurascens’ take on the dramatic red-orange hue you see here. In autumn, these plumes turn a gray to tan as they set seed and they persist throughout winter, … The white seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to mid winter. I am sorry to hear that you lost your grasses last year. Genevieve Schmidt is a landscape designer and owns a fine landscape … Do this in climates where the grass tops do not overwinter. Maiden grass can be trimmed back in late winter or early spring. How to cut back maiden grass in spring. Filed Under: How to Prune Tagged With: Pruning, Winter. Maiden Grass is a great addition to your landscape year-round but really stands out during the starkest months. The purple seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. above the first one if the plant is more than 3 ft. tall. If we remove them from the containers now in October, and place them in the ground, would they survive winter? Potential fungal infections for which to watch include Miscanthus blight and leaf rust. He showed us why he is successful over winter ornamental grasses when others are not. Miscanthus sinensis is a warm season grass and transplants best in the spring. The plant prefers full sun but will also grow in part shade. Cut Flower/Foliage . Cut the plant to about 4 to 6 inches, using sturdy garden pruners or hedge shears. During the growing season, maiden grass height reaches 4 to 9 feet tall, and the plant spreads 3 to 6 feet wide. In addition, it provides protection for roots, and helps anchor new shoots in the spring. This outstanding selection from Walters Gardens, Inc. was selected and hybridized for its flowering performance earlier in the season. Maiden grass is rarely troubled by pests or disease. The foliage is attractive even during colder months, and it helps to protect the crown of the plant from freezing temperatures, notes Missouri Botanical Garden. Maiden grass Graziella (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Graziella’) is lovely, and many gardeners happily treat these grasses as annuals, leaving them in containers over the winter, where they remain attractive throughout the season – then discarding them in the spring. Great specimen or used in groups as a screen. 1). Wrap a length of heavy wire around the clump about a foot above the ground, pull it tight and twist the ends together. Maiden grass is very tolerant of a wide range of soils but does best in more moist conditions. Hardy in U.S. zones 4-9, Morning Light maiden grass blooms later than other Miscanthus varieties, and produces feathery pink-silver plumes in late summer into fall. Maiden Grass: USDA Zone: 5-9: Plant number: 8.270.720. These tassel like blooms fade to tan in winter, but say upright adding exciting winter interest. How to prune other types of ornamental grasses in winter. Key Features. Its grassy leaves are green in colour. Aside from annual pruning, maiden grass requires minimal care. If your lawn detects a scarce water supply, it will go dormant and turn brown in order to protect the crown. This helps to manage the size of the grass and prevents the clumps from thinning and dying out. Flowers at an early age. They delicately change to silver as they mature and provide excellent winter interest. Their pinkish or silvery 8- to 10-inch-long plumes persist into the winter. It grows in dense clumps, never spreading sideways, and in summer tall flower spikes grow up to 8 feet tall, topped with silvery tassels fluttering in the breeze. How to Care for a Corkscrew Grass Marshland Plant. Propagated by division or seed. Alternating horizontal bands of vibrant green and yellow give this hardy grass a fantastic look. Shear off all the grass's top foliage with shears in the late fall or early winter after the grass has gone to seed and the first hard frost has occurred. (Answer) I am sorry to hear that you lost your grasses last year. Dwarf Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima' Sku #6164 . Height 3-4'. Fortunately, maiden grass sits pretty most of the year without needing much in the way of care. Maiden Grass is an eye-catching grass with narrow, upright and arching leaves that reaches 5 feet tall. They gradually become a more subdued beige that carries through winter. Maureen Malone has been a professional writer since 2010 She is located in Tucson, Arizona where she enjoys hiking, horseback riding and martial arts. To get around this issue, overwinter the containers under a covered area so they won’t receive excess rain/snow. One of the most popular variety of Chinese Silver Grasses, 'Gracillimus' is a spectacular ornamental grass grown for its abundant, purple-flushed, flower plumes on display in late summer. Learn more about maiden grass and its environment. Use pots that require a large volume of soil. This versatile, compact form of maiden grass makes a great accent in smaller gardens, and is gorgeous massed in larger scale landscapes. In fact, telling the difference between dead and dormant grass can be tricky, especially in the winter time. Containerized perennials often get too much water throughout the winter season, as a thaw may not reach the drainage holes, and roots can end up sitting in water (and then ice). Wear garden gloves to protect your hands from the edges of the dry blades of grass. Perfect for more northern climates where the growing season is shorter. Slender leaves originate in a clump, spreading out and up like a fountain. This ornamental grass is quite drought tolerant. This popular ornamental grass has a graceful, vase-like shape that fills the garden with soft, airy texture. Perennial Miscanthus sinensiscan do it all: it’s drought tolerant, deer proof, and beautiful, growing in airy clumps that send up feathery plumes in late summer. The grasses themselves will give you your cue. When there is little on view but the skeletons of your garden, ornamental grasses provide structure, texture, and drama to the gardenscape. Its grassy leaves are green in colour. Protective eyewear is also recommended, especially if you use power tools to cut back the grass. But ornamental grasses, with the stoic plumes and foliage can definitely become a focal point for an otherwise barren landscape. Sarabande Maiden Grass features bold plumes of coppery-bronze flowers with coral-pink overtones rising above the foliage from mid summer to late fall. In late winter or early spring, cut back the maiden grass to the ground before the new growth begins. We recommend trimming them in early spring right before they emerge from dormancy so you can enjoy the winter interest in your landscape. Buy More, Save More. In late-winter or early-spring, cut back to about six to eight inches tall. In warmer climates where the foliage does not die back in winter, maintenance pruning to keep the plant looking tidy is all that is required. Covering plants with white plastic for the winter really doesn’t keep the from freezing, actually quite the opposite. Click this article to learn more. Miscanthus sinensis 'Autumn Light' Characteristics. Miscanthus mealybugs may be a concern in some areas. If you wish, you could wrap the pots in an insulating material, to give extra protection. Among ornamental grasses, Miscanthus is a go-to choice for garden designers and landscape architects. Growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9, there are more than 100 maiden grass varieties from which to choose. Then, cut down the grass to a few inches above the ground using pruning shears or manual or electric hedge shears. Ornamental grasses accent a garden any time of year, but they might just be at their most imposing in the doldrums of winter. Among ornamental grasses, Miscanthus is a go-to choice for garden designers and landscape architects. How to summer-prune your Miscanthus grass. One easy way to cut back the maiden grass is to gather it together in a bundle, tying it with a few blades of the grass, advises Monrovia. It’s simple to cut back a maiden grass in early spring. When it does bloom, the fine foliage is topped by silvery seed heads. We know that this is a perennial that would normally return every year if planted in the ground. May have problems with mealybug or … While the leaves yellow somewhat by mid-f… Maiden Grass: A Field Guide. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency when established. Clumps of dry maiden grass provide winter interest to the landscape, but pruning in late winter or early spring removes old, dry growth and encourages the emergence of new growth. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cut-back-maiden-grasses-45808.html The Science of Grass in Winter. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Gardening Guides provide introductory information on a broad range of horticultural topics. In addition to controlling weeds and keeping moisture in the soil, it will also help to prevent the plant from spreading when it self-seeds. With all that soil, the plants (and their roots) will have a better chance of avoiding the freeze/thaw cycle and might pull through. Also known as maiden grass, miscanthus looks good even when it’s not in bloom. Follow these easy steps below. Believe it or not, wintertime is a perfect time for ornamental grass care! But it boasts other desirable features, too, including coppery flower heads in early fall that transform into silvery white plumes. Adagio is an outstanding maiden grass with low maintenance and exceptional tolerance for a variety of conditions. This spring we planted maiden grass graziella in many containers around our patio. For example, your. There are many varieties of Miscanthus now available. Dig up the clumps of grass and brush or wash off the soil. Remove any dead material from the center of the plant. Mulch is recommended, especially in milder climates. Indian Grass tends to be quite tall, 6+ feet, but sturdy, with roots … Do not cut back the grass in the fall or winter. The roots on the outer edge of the clumps are the most vigorous, notes Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Placing them under eaves by the east or south side of your house would be ideal. Miscanthus sinensis grows in many soil types as long as they are moist and well-drained soils. Herbaceous. Whatever tools you decide to use, be sure to disinfect the blades by wiping them down with a household disinfectant, such as Lysol, advises University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions. It helps keep a bit of interest in the landscape. The Tools Of The Trade. Taller selections may require staking. Delicate silvery-white plumes. The main challenge with overwintering perennials – including grasses – in containers is that plants may not survive temperature fluctuations (freeze/thaw) that occur throughout the season. When in flower, this clump-forming plant will reach 6 to 8 feet tall, and its stems redden in the fall. By late-summer the dramatic purplish flower plumes appear well above the foliage and gradually fade to silver. Our experience last year was that the grasses didn’t survive the winter. Maiden grass is a plant that comes very close to being perfect. Maiden grass is low maintenance, but you do need to cut back maiden grass in the winter before new growth appears. Be sure to wear gardening gloves and long sleeves since the tall, dried grass may easily irritate or cut your skin. By mid-winter, ornamental grasses have gone completely dormant. Maiden grass is a tall ornamental grass that would be worth growing for its graceful arching form alone. Replant the grass immediately so the roots stay moist. Miscanthus likes evenly moist soil, but once establishe… One of the most popular variety of Chinese Silver Grasses, 'Gracillimus' is a spectacular ornamental grass grown for its abundant, purple-flushed, flower plumes on display in late summer. A silver stripe runs up the middle of the sword-like green leaves. 'Giant Maiden Grass forms a very large fountain-shaped clump of gracefully arching blades. Maiden grass requires a location in the landscape that receives full sun, but it is adaptable to most well-drained soils. Perennials planted directly in gardens are not subject to these vast temperature changes, as the soil is a more even temperature. Ornamental grasses are very low maintenance plants. Some of the most popular warm-season grasses in Central Oregon are little bluestem, Karl Foerster feather reed grass, fountain grass, maiden hair grass and switch grass. With silvery green foliage and feather-like blooms, the grass partners well with other plants and blends into garden beds. Wispy, feathery flowers bloom above the foliage from late summer through fall. Maiden grass is a plant that comes very close to being perfect. And they can look especially spectacular when covered in snow or ice … Alternatively, after the first hard frost, Consider the “2-zone reserve” rule in selecting hardier grasses that have the best chance of surviving outside in winter. Add a second wire 6 to 8 in. University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions. Division. Light Needs. Provide good drainage at the planting site. Perennial Miscanthus sinensis can do it all: it’s drought tolerant, deer proof, and beautiful, growing in airy clumps that send up feathery plumes in late summer.. Sorghastrum nutans, Indian Grass. Let’s face it, wintertime landscapes can be bleak! Miscanthus imparts subtle beauty to any space. Great Ornamental Grasses for your Winter Garden Calamagrostis brachytricha (Reed Grass) Maiden grasses start shedding soon after the new year, so as soon as you notice them making a mess, it’s time to prune. Thanks for your help. They rise gracefully, well above an elegant foliage of narrow, arching, green leaves with white midribs. Due to its tendency to self-seed and spread by rhizomes, maiden grass is considered invasive in some areas, notes the Maryland Invasive Species Council. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis), also called Chinese silver grass or Eulalia, is an ornamental grass that grows up to 9 feet tall. The leaves are gone, and the grass is either brown or covered in snow. Or should I dig out the root balls and put them in containers and bring them in the house? These grasses tend to remain looking good even when temperatures are high and drought conditions may prevail. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous tan in the fall. Tie back the grass once it has browned and dried, and lob off to the 10-inch marker. Depending on their growth habit and your climate they may require very little pruning to extensive hard pruning each year. Anytime when they are dormant is a great time to prune back this grass. Fast. Gracillimus Maiden Grass features dainty plumes of pink flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. When the center of the clump starts to die out or simply to control spread, divide. I suggest the following as the best options for you: And if you someday want to try and overwinter the grasses outside in their containers, here are a few pointers: We have had a couple of additional questions on this issue in the past, that may be of interest to you – see Ask a Master Gardener: 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 1P2 | Phone: 416-397-1345, Copyright © Toronto Master Gardeners 2019. 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