The decorative zebra grass (Miscanthus) is sometimes also called tiger grass and, like other types of reeds, is often used as a contrast to the flowers in rose beds with perennials. In order for this sweet grass to develop optimally, a few basic rules regarding location and cutting must be observed.
When should you cut zebra grass?
Zebra grass should be cut in spring when the first green new shoots are visible. Cut off the dead stalks just above the ground with sharp secateurs so as not to affect or damage the new growth.
Pruning is definitely important for this plant
While some plants can look good in the garden even without caring and shaping pruning, annual pruning of zebra grass is essential. Ultimately, the above-ground parts of this winter-hardy plant die over the winter and no longer look particularly aesthetic in the spring. Old, dried-out stalks also disrupt new growth in zebra grass by blocking sunlight from the new shoots. Apart from that, in contrast to some shrubs, cutting this plant does not have a particularly stimulating effect on the growth, as the parts of the plant to be removed are already dry, dead stalks and leaves.
Don’t cut the zebra grass too early
Not so many hobby gardeners make the mistake of cutting the zebra grass close to the ground in late autumn or at the beginning of winter in order to tidy up the garden before winter. But that is fatal because the dry leaves above the root ball:
- repels excess moisture
- offers some protection from the winter cold
- offers many animals (especially insects) a winter habitat or nesting material
The zebra grass should therefore only be cut off just above the ground in spring with sharp secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon). The best time for this is when the first green new shoots appear at the base of the plant.
The late and somewhat more laborious pruning of zebra grass
The zebra grass should not be cut too early, but you should not miss the ideal time for pruning either. If the new, green shoots have already grown taller and into the dead material from the previous year, it may be necessary to painstakingly cut out the dead stalks individually so as not to injure the new shoots.
Getting the zebra grass through the winter well
For aesthetic and practical reasons, the dry stalks of zebra grass should be tied together in clumps with a piece of string in autumn. This means that they are not pushed apart by the snow and visually create a much more decorative image. While specimens in the garden bed usually survive the winter without any further protection, potted specimens on the balcony should sometimes be protected from the worst winter cold with some bubble wrap or other protective materials.
Tip
The size growth of zebra grass automatically levels off at a maximum height of around 1.60 meters after a few years in the same location. In order to limit the lateral spread of this fast-growing reed species, the installation of a rhizome barrier in the ground is generally considered. Otherwise, it is also possible to simply cut off the side growths of the zebra grass clump in spring with a sharp spade and replant them in another place. This means that entire hedges or privacy walls made of zebra grass can be planted over a few years.
