Without a single doubt, pampas grass is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses. It is often used in landscaping and provides a wonderful texture to any garden. You may be wondering, ‘can i cut pampas grass in April?’
It’s well known for its showy and feathery plumes, which make it a great choice for dried arrangements. It’s a fast-growing grass and when trimmed and maintained properly, can form a breathtaking hedge and a wonderful addition to any home.
Is it a Good Thing to Cut Pampas Grass in April?
Pampas grass is warm-season grass. It’s best planted during the spring or summer months. It’s grass that is very sensitive to cold weather and can be killed by even one light frost.
Annual pruning of this grass is essential to its health and vigor. This is to get rid of the old, dead leaves and to encourage new growth. The best time to do this is during late winter, or early spring the most.
Doing this gives your pampas grass the best chance to put out new growth for the season.
This is not just for pampas grass – this should also be done for all fast-growing ornamental grasses. While it may seem like a chore, doing so will result in a healthier, fuller plant.
So, can you cut pampas grass in April? The answer is – it depends. If there is already new growth on the plant, then it’s best to wait until later in the season to prune. However, if the plant is still dormant, then go ahead and give it a trim.
Why Is Cutting Pampas Grass Important?
As with perfect timing, it’s also important to know how much to cut pampas grass. This will ensure that you don’t damage the plant and that it continues to look its best.
Cutting at least 12 inches from the tips of the blades is recommended. This will help to prevent the plant from looking scraggly and overgrown. It will also encourage new growth, which is always a good thing.
You’ve probably heard expert gardeners recommending “the rule of thirds” when it comes to pruning. This means that you should only remove a third of the plant material when trimming. This helps to keep the plant in balance and looking its best.
Leaving pampas grass untrimmed will result in a plant that is less full and has fewer plumes. It also causes the ornamental grass to seed. The deceased leaves and blades will seed. Unfortunately, once your ornamental grass has created seeds, there’s a very high probability that your grass will die.
How to Properly Cut Pampas Grass
Trimming yearly is essential to the health of your pampas grass, but it’s also important to know how to properly cut the plant.
Pampas grass has very sharp blades. These can easily cut through skin, so don’t forget to wear gloves when handling the plant. Check the foliage and carefully take out the deceased and dried leaves.
Start by cutting about a third of the plant, from the base. You can use either garden shears or a sharp knife for this. Once you’ve cut away the dead leaves, it’s time to focus on the living blades.
Once again, you’ll want to use either garden shears or a sharp knife. This time, however, you’ll only be trimming the tips of the blades. Cut them at an angle, about 12 inches from the base of the plant.
Can I Cut Pampas Grass in April?: Final Thoughts
Ornamental plants such as pampas grass bring a lot of beauty to any home. They’re easy to take care of and only require annual pruning. April falls right in the middle of the ideal pruning season for this plant.
It really depends on the current state of your pampas grass as to whether or not you should prune it in April. If there is already new growth, you may want to wait a bit longer. However, if there’s none yet, go ahead and cut back your grass. Doing so ensures that you’ll have a healthy, full plant come summertime.
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