Pennisetum provides attractive accents in the bed all year round. It looks particularly pretty in autumn and winter when the feathery inflorescences appear and are decorated with hoarfrost in cold weather. Some hobby gardeners are somewhat uncertain about pruning and the correct time for this care measure.
When and how should you cut pennisetum?
The Pennisetum grass (Pennisetum) should be cut back once a year in early spring before new growth appears. Remove the dead stalks by pulling or cut them back to about 10 cm long without cutting into the fresh greenery. Wear gloves and use sharp cutting tools.
When do you cut back?
Once a year the ornamental grass needs to be shortened so that it grows strong and he althy again. However, this should not happen in autumn, but in early spring, before new growth appears.
Why are grasses only cut in spring?
If you leave the stalks on the plant during the cold season, they serve as natural winter protection.
If you cut in autumn, there is also the risk of rot forming in the short stubs. This can damage the Pennisetum so badly that it collapses.
The dense, long ornamental grasses provide shelter for numerous animals during the winter months and are therefore also ecologically valuable.
How to cut?
Do not cut back so deeply that the lush green, freshly sprouting inner core is visible and exposed. Proceed as follows when pruning:
- The dead stalks can often be removed simply by pulling firmly.
- If that's not possible, shorten it to about ten centimeters.
- Cut out all dead shoots.
- Be careful not to cut off too much. Dried leaf residues often curl around the new leaf shoot, which serve to protect the new growth.
- Do not cut into fresh greenery, because then the tip of the grass will dry out, which will seriously affect the appearance of the ornamental grass.
- As Pennisetum can have very sharp edges, wear gloves when carrying out this work.
- Always use sharp and well-cleaned cutting tools. This prevents pathogens from penetrating the plant.
Pruning during the year
Sometimes stalks dry out and turn unsightly brown. You can cut these out throughout the entire gardening season.
Overwinter the grass that has not been cut back properly
Pennisetum is quite hardy and can remain outdoors in our latitudes even in the cold months. If experience shows that the winters in your region tend to be wet, you should tie the long shafts together in a bun.
- Leaves,
- brushwood,
- Winter protection fleece
ensure that the Pennisetum grass is not damaged in severe frosts.
Tip
Pennisetum can be propagated very easily by division. The optimal time is spring, before budding. If you combine this care measure with pruning, you can look forward to several of these attractive ornamental grass perennials in the coming garden season.
