Your use of ornamental grass determines when it should be cut back. If the grass is used for winter interest, it should be cut back in the spring before the new growth emerges. In areas where self-sowing can be a problem, it should be cut back (at least the blooms) before the blooms mature. Grasses are easily propagated by division. Many spread by rhizome or self-sowing.
Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’
PP 27949
common name Big Bluestem
hardy in zone 3-9
full sun
drought tolerant
New to our garden in 2020.
PP 27949
common name Big Bluestem
hardy in zone 3-9
full sun
drought tolerant
New to our garden in 2020.
Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘El Dorado’
a.k.a. ‘Eldorado’ PP 16486 common name Feather Reed Grass hardy in zones 5-9 full sun May-August bloom |
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Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’
a.k.a. Carex glauca common names include Blue Sedge, Heath Sedge, Sedge hardy in zones 4-8 full to partial shade moisture loving May-July bloom |
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Festuca ovina glauca
common names include Blue Fescue, Sheep Fescue hardy in zones 4-10 full to partial sun May-July bloom Self-seeds. |
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Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
common names include Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Gold Striped Hakone Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
full to partial sun
September bloom
I bought this quite a few years ago, not knowing there was another, more invasive grass in the pot. It gradually took over, unbeknownst to me. By the time I realized the thriving grass was not what I thought it was, there was very little 'All Gold' left. It has now been cleared out and is reestablishing.
common names include Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Gold Striped Hakone Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
full to partial sun
September bloom
I bought this quite a few years ago, not knowing there was another, more invasive grass in the pot. It gradually took over, unbeknownst to me. By the time I realized the thriving grass was not what I thought it was, there was very little 'All Gold' left. It has now been cleared out and is reestablishing.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
common name includes Japanese Forest Grass partial shade |
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Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’
a.k.a. Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’, Imperata cylindrica var. Koenigii
common names include Cogon Grass, Japanese Blood Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
full to partial sun
drought tolerant
New to our garden in 2019.
a.k.a. Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’, Imperata cylindrica var. Koenigii
common names include Cogon Grass, Japanese Blood Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
full to partial sun
drought tolerant
New to our garden in 2019.
Miscanthus
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Though not as showy as pompas grass, Miscanthus' feathery plumes are mistaken for it by some. Miscanthus' main advantage to pompas grass is that it can be grown in cooler climates than what pompas grass can survive in. In fact, some varieties in some locations can self-sow to the point of invasiveness. For this reason, deadheading may be a good idea, if for no other reason than it will seed within its own clump, and if it is a hybridized form that does not come up true from seed, the seedlings will eventually take over.
There are advantages to not deadheading as well. The seed heads are a big reason for growing Miscanthus and the birds do feed from them. |
Miscanthus, also commonly referred to as Dwarf Maiden Grass, Eulalia and Japanese Silver Grass, requires full to partial sun. Not only is it drought tolerant, but it does not need fertilizing. It is late to emerge in the spring. Miscanthus is easily propagated by division.
Some varieties of Miscanthus are prone to flopping. With so many to choose from, I try to only grow those that hold their form well. The ones listed here have done so thus far in my garden, though under other growing conditions, including less light, they may still flop.
Some varieties of Miscanthus are prone to flopping. With so many to choose from, I try to only grow those that hold their form well. The ones listed here have done so thus far in my garden, though under other growing conditions, including less light, they may still flop.
Miscanthus giganteus
common name Giant Chinese Silver Grass hardy in zones 4-9 October-November bloom |
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Dixieland’
hardy in zones 6-9 September-November bloom |
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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’
PP 15193
hardy in zones 5-9
October-November bloom
Sort of a rough go getting this one started. Hopefully will eventually get the right conditions for it (no greedy tree roots nearby, no more established plants flopping on it, etc.).
PP 15193
hardy in zones 5-9
October-November bloom
Sort of a rough go getting this one started. Hopefully will eventually get the right conditions for it (no greedy tree roots nearby, no more established plants flopping on it, etc.).
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
common name includes Variegated Maiden Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
October bloom
common name includes Variegated Maiden Grass
hardy in zones 5-9
October bloom
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’
common names include Banded Miscanthus, Porcupine Grass, Zebra Grass hardy in zones 5-9 October bloom 'Strictus' is less likely to flop than most other banded varieties. |
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Panicum
Panicum, common name switch grass, requires full sun and is easily propagated by division. It is drought tolerant once established and requires very little care.
Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’
hardy in zones 5-9 August-September bloom |
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Panicum virgatum ‘Prairie Sky’
hardy to zone 5 July-October bloom |
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Panicum virgatum ‘Ruby Ribbons’
PP 17944
hardy in zones 4-8
July-October bloom
PP 17944
hardy in zones 4-8
July-October bloom
Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’
PP 12909 common name Oriental Fountain Grass hardy in zones 5-9 full to partial sun drought tolerant May-November bloom |
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Updated March 24, 2022.