Pruning Fountain Grass

Fountain grass requires very little pruning, but an annual tidy-up in March is essential to keep plants healthy and looking their best. The key rule is to leave the foliage standing over winter. The dried flower plumes and bleached leaves provide structure and movement in the garden from late autumn through to early spring, and they also offer some frost protection to the crown. In March, before new growth emerges, cut back all the old foliage and spent flower stems to within 5–10 cm of the ground. Use a pair of sharp hand shears or secateurs for smaller clumps; for larger, established plants a pair of hedging shears speeds up the job considerably. Some gardeners find it easier to gather the foliage into a bundle with one hand (or tie it loosely with string) before cutting through in one go. Remove all the cut material from the crown of the plant to prevent it smothering new shoots and to reduce the risk of fungal problems in damp springs. If your clump has become very dense or the centre looks dead or sparse after several years, March is also the time to lift and divide it. Dig up the entire clump, split it into smaller sections using a sharp spade or knife, and replant the vigorous outer portions, discarding the woody centre. Beyond this annual cut-back, fountain grass needs no deadheading or shaping during the growing season. Let the pink-tinged flower plumes develop naturally from late summer onwards—they're the plant's main ornamental feature and will fade gracefully into winter.