With its dense clumps of leaves, this ornamental grass is reminiscent of a fur-like carpet of lawn. It proves to be undemanding and easy to care for. Occasionally, interventions are necessary that somewhat limit the ability to spread. Bearskin grass also requires attention when its beauty diminishes.
How to cut bearskin grass correctly?
Bearskin grass should not be cut back radically. Dead and yellow leaves can be plucked out in spring. Withered panicles should be removed and older clumps divided to promote he althy growth.
Does pruning make sense?
Many ornamental grasses are radically cut to just above the ground in spring so that the clumps sprout with fresh energy. Festuca gauteri cannot tolerate such intensive interventions because the sweet grass grows comparatively slowly. Limit the measure to plucking out dead and yellow leaves. This process is recommended in spring as the foliage protects the roots from frost during the winter. The leaves act as a natural water drain and ensure that winter moisture does not collect in the clumps.
Avoid self-seeding
An important measure is to remove spent panicles, although you should carry out this cut in good time before fruit development. It is not easy for the untrained eye to tell the difference between flowers and ripe fruit. If the ears of corn remain standing for too long, the bearskin fescue will sow quickly and heavily in the garden. The ideal time for this procedure is in August.
Topiary
This pruning measure refers less to the targeted formation of a special shape, but more to the indirect maintenance of a he althy and strong growth habit. The leaves of the plant are spared. The focus is on the flower stems, which you cut out at their base immediately before opening the spikes. After cleaning, the grass invests all of its energy in the formation of clumps of leaves.
Rejuvenation
Older clumps often tend to fall apart as they expand increasingly in width and their vigor decreases. Snow masses are an additional nuisance during the winter because they push the leaves to the ground and promote brown discoloration in the clump. To prevent this, division in autumn is recommended.
Tip
Mowing turns out to be unsuitable for the bearskin grass because the lawn mower blades would pull the roots out of the ground.
Procedure
Prick off the root ball and lift the plant out of the substrate with a spade. Roughly knock the soil away from the roots and remove dry and bare areas in this step. Cut the clump into two parts in the middle and place the partial plants in the desired location in the garden.
Special features in growth
The ornamental grass develops flat cushions that continuously expand in width with the help of short rhizomes. Although bearskin grass grows slowly, over time it can develop a fur-like carpet in the garden. Diameters of more than one meter are not uncommon.
Advantages of cutting measures:
- counteract baldness from the inside out
- contain the spread
- promote he althy and compact growth
