You can often find the tip on the Internet that pampas grass is very overgrown and should therefore only be planted with a root barrier. Here the ornamental grass is obviously confused with other plants such as bamboo or reeds, which spread through the garden via rhizomes.
Is a root barrier necessary for pampas grass?
A root barrier is not necessary for pampas grass because, unlike bamboo or reeds, it forms a clump and does not form rhizomes that spread throughout the garden. Instead, the grass bush grows larger over the years.
Pampas grass does not form clumps of rhizomes
Unlike bamboo or reeds, pampas grass is a plant that forms a clump. The gardener understands this to be a central bush of grass that grows larger over the years.
In the middle of the nest the new branches sprout and push the old ones to the side. As a result, the eyrie increases in size and can easily reach a meter in diameter.
Pampas grass does not form rhizomes with which it can spread throughout the garden. Creating a rhizome barrier is therefore unnecessary.
Simply cut off clumps that are too large
Over the years, the clump of pampas grass can become very large. Sometimes it also starts to rot inside. To reduce the size of the pampas grass, simply cut off the clump on the sides. To do this, you don't even have to dig up the rootstock completely, just expose something on the side.
The resulting root pieces can be used very well for propagation. As long as there are at least two eyes, the roots will sprout reliably in a new location.
If the pampas grass appears rotten in the middle, that is no reason to remove the ornamental grass from the garden. Divide the clump so you can remove the rotten areas. Place the remaining pieces next to the terrace as a privacy screen or give them away to the neighbors.
Alternative: grow pampas grass in a bucket
If you are worried that the pampas grass will grow too much, you can also grow the ornamental grass in a bucket. It then just needs more care:
- water more often
- fertilize regularly
- overwinter frost-free
However, since there is limited space in the pot, you must expect that the pampas grass will not form fronds.
Tip
The interior of the nest cannot tolerate moisture at all. This is especially a problem in winter. Pampas grass is therefore not cut in autumn, but rather tied up at the top.