Leaving ornamental grasses unpruned through winter provides valuable wildlife habitat while adding texture and structure to the winter garden, writes columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
Grasses look just as effective in summer as they do in winter.
By leaving them unpruned through winter, instead of cutting them back early, they provide habitat for wildlife while adding structure to the winter garden.
Grasses for garden beds come in a wide range of sizes, including many native species. The choices are endless, with shapes and forms to suit almost any space. Larger varieties can be difficult to find in advanced pots, but if small pots are planted in spring or summer they will make strong growth. After a few years they can be divided with a sharp spade, replanted or potted to give away to friends.
Not all grasses need to be cut back. The best guide is to know the plants you already have.
As a rule of thumb, cut back deciduous grasses in late winter or early spring when new growth is visible at the base of the clump, pruning down to that new growth.
Evergreen grasses generally do not require pruning, but if they need tidying to keep them in check, spring is the best time for a light trim rather than the hard pruning used on deciduous grasses.
Some of my favourites that grow well in our region are the Miscanthus species. While I grow Miscanthus gigantea in my garden, I am looking forward to growing M. Sarabande, which stays considerably smaller and has wonderful autumn colour.
In our region and surrounding bushland we have a tremendous range of native grasses, both deciduous and evergreen, that mix well together in the garden. Look for Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), which has fine foliage and grows to about 40cm tall. Another excellent evergreen is Swamp Foxtail Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) with its soft, green foliage. Both are low-maintenance and easy-care once established.
NOW we are getting to the pointy end of winter, there are still many jobs to do before the spring rush.
Once the bare-rooted trees and plants are in, the compost is turned and cooking, it’s time to think about dividing many plants in the garden.
Plants with suckering habits, tubers or rhizomes are ideal for division. It is an easy way to create many free plants before spring arrives in a month or two.
A good example is Echinacea, which benefits from regular division. Dig up the clump and carefully tease apart the rhizomes.
Echinacea grows well in our environment and produces long-lasting flowers throughout the warmer months. New varieties now available have more compact growth, with flowers in oranges, creams, reds and many shades of pink.
The large flowers attract pollinators to the garden and the plants need very little care once established.
As a bonus, Echinacea is also a medicinal plant. The roots, leaves or flowers can be used to make an immune-boosting tea. The roots can be lightly boiled, while the above-ground parts can be steeped in boiling water, strained and enjoyed as a mild tea.
NOW is also the time to think about revitalising lawns ready for spring if needed. Scarifying or coring are both healthy lawn practices.
Scarifying removes thatch from lawns with rhizomes, while coring removes plugs of soil to improve the soil profile.
Rarely will both be needed, and there are many turf experts available to provide advice on your lawn.
Jottings
- Tie up summer berry canes before spring.
- Prepare the ground for rose planting.
- Begin to sow spring growing herbs and annuals.
- Liquid feed all vegetables to keep them growing fast.
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