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Purple fountain grass looks like it belongs on ‘Green Acres’
Posted Feb 23, 2011 by Kim Franke-Folstad
Updated Feb 23, 2011 at 04:50 PM
No, those aren’t hay bales in my yard that need to be moved. And I don’t have any Cousin Its here for a visit.
Those three clumps of freaky frizz are purple fountain grass I planted last year. Clearly, they need a trim … but I had no idea how much.
I’ve been wandering over to where they sit for weeks now, running my fingers through them, trying to pull out the dead grass and see if there’s anything worth keeping in the tattered mess. I thought maybe the brown stuff would fall away and a batch of pretty purple grass within would be revealed.
No such luck.
You might remember, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved these plants when I put them in last year. They make a nice border on that side of my garden, and I like the way they move in the wind. So I have to keep them!
I did a little googling, and it turns out I’m supposed to clip each clump down to about 6 or 8 inches so it can come back fresh.
That certainly will make the pruning easier – no surgical skills required. But … well, you all know how I like big beautiful plants. I’m not loving the idea of cutting those babies down and waiting for them to get big again.
If you’ve seen it done another way, let me know before the weekend!
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Reader Comments
Posted by (kgardens) on February 24, 2011
I don’t know if it can be left to do its own thing or not, Kim. I did cut my muhly grass back and it is regrowing but slowly. I’m hoping that now Spring has arrived the grasses will grow more quickly. I really like the placement of yours in your garden.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 24, 2011
I’m not sure of the fountain grass but the fakahatchee grass where I work and park my car is something they cut down to the quick every spring and it comes back beautifully. And I don’t remember that it takes that long either, especially when you cut it this early in the season. Waiting too long and missing the spring burst may make it take longer to come back.
Posted by (MiMi) on February 24, 2011
Hey Ladies, good way to cut those grasses is to tie a rope around the grass above where you want to cut, Then cut away! Top part is ready for compost pile. Or you can use a bungee cord which works great. Easy to hook together and away you go!!
Posted by (Chip) on February 25, 2011
Yes that is a great trick! MiMi and that works on all grass type plants. With one small add on, you need to determine where the “heart” of the plant is and cut above it most plants this size 6inchs-8inchs above the ground you are safe. just give it a squeeze the heart will be solid and just do not cut it cut a few inches above it. Power Hedge trimmers are the tool to use everything else is just plain hard. ...“Chip”
Posted by (MiMi) on February 25, 2011
Chip, thanks for for the add on of 6 inches and finding the heart. Both very important. A little plant food and some water and they are good to go.MiMi
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on February 25, 2011
Wow, thanks for the great tips, guys! Now I can’t wait to go out there and find the “heart.” It’s funny, because I was a little nervous about these grasses, because I know they can get messy. But once I had them in, I just loved them—and I want them back to looking good! I’ll definitely use the bungee trick, too—sounds like it will make things a lot easier and neater. Thanks again!
Posted by (MiMi) on February 25, 2011
Go for it Kim, I also use the tops in flower beds as mulch. MiMi