Regular gardening also includes pruning various plants. The giant miscanthus, which grows up to four meters high, is no exception. However, you should proceed carefully, as an incorrect cut can also cause damage.
When and how should giant miscanthus be cut?
Giant miscanthus should be cut in April, approx. 10 cm above the ground, to allow space for young shoots. Gloves should be worn to avoid cuts. New shoots should not be cut off.
Does giant miscanthus need to be cut regularly?
Regular pruning is not absolutely necessary for any variety of miscanthus, but it certainly makes sense. Without pruning, your giant miscanthus may become unsightly over time. Sometimes the stalks die in the middle and new ones only grow on the outside. Pruning also gives the young shoots enough space to develop well.
When should I cut my giant miscanthus?
The best time to cut miscanthus is (late) spring. Winter should already be over, but new growth has not yet begun. Since this occurs quite late in miscanthus, pruning in April is well timed.
Sometimes there is debate about pruning in the fall, but this can potentially harm your giant miscanthus. After cutting, water can penetrate the stalks and cause them to rot. It is better to let the plant overwinter completely. To protect against snow breakage, you can tie the stalks together.
What do I have to pay attention to when pruning?
For your own protection, you should definitely wear robust gardening gloves (€49.00 on Amazon) when cutting miscanthus, because the leaves have very sharp edges and a cut caused by them is quite painful. Cut your giant miscanthus about four inches above the ground.
Before pruning, check whether the plant is already growing new shoots. You should definitely not cut these off. In this case, set the cut higher accordingly. If there is a lot of new growth, only cut a few stalks, possibly only on the outside of the reeds.
The most important things in brief:
- ideal time: April
- Cutting height: approx. 10 cm above the ground (about a hand's breadth)
- do not cut off new shoots
- Wear gloves
Tip
Pruning is a good time to divide the giant miscanthus.
