How to Cut Down Ornamental Grass

Overview

Ornamental grasses provide structure and height to flowerbeds and landscaping. They are also surprisingly drought tolerant and work equally well in cottage gardens and formal gardens. Ornamental grasses die each fall with the onset of cold temperatures. If you allow them to remain unpruned you will have the joy of watching sunlight catch the frost that will trace the stems and seed heads. There are two types of ornamental grasses: those that form bunches and those that spread by rhizomes. Both should be cut down or pruned in spring to allow the emergence of new growth.

Step 1

Cut back ornamental grasses in early spring before new growth appears.

Step 2

Use loppers or hedge trimmers for ornamental grasses that form clumps (pampas grass). Cut back to 4 to 10 inches high.

Step 3

Use a lawn mower or weed trimmer to cut back ornamental grasses that spread by rhizomes (ribbon grass). Cut these grasses to 3 to 5 inches high.