Cortaderia selloana (common names: read more here)
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By Chrispook
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By spritzhe..
Cortaderia selloana (aka read more here)
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Questions on Cortaderia selloana
I have 2 pampas grass. The oldest one survived last winter with no problem, but it was a mild winter. This year it has been colder with a lot of nights around -10 C, over last 3 months. This year the tops look all brown (last year there was a lot of green left). Will they grow back again in the Spring or has it been too cold for them? I assumed they should survive in Hungary since I bought them in local garden centres, but I don't see many in other folk's gardens.
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I mentioned my Pampas grass last year and was advised to rake out the dead leaves - well, I pulled and raked out FOUR barrow loads from the outside and also from the middle of the clump. Is there anything else I should do to keep this elderly clump healthy?
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Is there any hope for my Pampas grass?
My Pampas is still totally brown and dead looking after the winter. I bought it last Spring and it grew very well and also had a flower (plume). It is not showing any sign of new growth and it is now mid May. When do they usually start to sprout? I know the books say they are hardy but how hardy? Here is a picture.
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Comments on Cortaderia selloana
16 Feb, 2008
RHS book says 'Fully hardy to frost hardy', The one most frequently found over here is Cortaderia selloana as well and it has three 'frost' stars, meaning that it is fully hardy. No pests or diseases are mentioned, either. Some leaves do die each year - I have to 'comb' mine out with my husband's gauntlets on soon! Sorry I have no more suggestions or info to offer, Chris.
On question - How hardy is Pampas grass?
22 Feb, 2008
These can be cut back very hard at the end of the season,be brutal.Other than that feed with 4 to 6 ounces of Growmore round the base.
On question - Pampas grass
22 Feb, 2008
When you say the end of the season, when is that? I don't think I could get into it to cut it back to the ground, if that's what you are saying. It is HUGE! my RHS book says to cut off the flowering stems and to cut and comb out the dead leaves in late winter/early spring I haven't dived in to cut off the flowers as yet, I was too exhausted!
On question - Pampas grass
22 Feb, 2008
Barbara, as you probably know most grasses look good throughout the winter, so in my opinion, it's best to do any cutting back between now and early March. As Darryluk says, you can cut pampas back as hard as you like, but with a mature clump such as yours, not always an easy task. I would probably cut it back anywhere between 2-3 feet from the ground.
On question - Pampas grass
22 Feb, 2008
If you could borrow a scythe, that would probably be the best tool for a brutal chop
On question - Pampas grass
26 Feb, 2008
IVE HEARD THAT IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY CUT IT RIGHT BACK TO BASE THEN (BELIEVE IT OR NOT ,ACTUALLY BURN IT WITH A BLOW TORCH TIL CHARRED AND BLACK ,THAT THIS ACTUALLY STIMULATES GROWTH) NEVER TRIED IT THOUGH SO DONT TAKE MY WORD .
On question - Pampas grass
27 Feb, 2008
Funnily enough, Chris Beardshaw says in the March Gardeners World comic: "Some gardeners suggest setting fire to the crown of the plant to save pruning, but I don't recommend this as young shoots are likely to be damaged." He confirms that cutting back as close to the crown as possible in spring is best.
On question - Pampas grass
12 May, 2008
Oh dear, it does look a bit fed up. Speaking from experience of my pampass which I have had for 3 years, I "prune it" by setting fire to it at the base which burns off all the dead foliage which works well. This spring mine was so huge we set light to it, dug it up, divided it, replanted the two halves & because we had halved it I cut the foliage down to about 12" to give the roots a chance to recover. It is now about 2' high with new green foliage coming. So all in all I would say that Pampass is pretty hardy to stand up to that.
I would be tempted to lift it to have a look at the roots, I'm sure it is worth saving. Re-plant it with lots of feed. Clear the dead foliage if you can & watch for the the new growth. Good luck with it.
On question - Is there any hope for my Pampas ...
Members' notes...
A clump at the back of the border, rather overshadowed by its huge neighbour.
I've got 2 young ones. 1 planted 2006 and 1 in 2007. They both managed 1 flower each last year, but sadly the snow broke them down.
Purchased from - Mother-in-law 2006
Purchase cost - FREE
Current height x spread 2008 - 7ft x 5ft
Expected height x spread - 10ft x 8ft
Habit - Evergreen huge grass clump with large plumes (in late summer. Usually won't produce plumes till approx 3
years old.
Garden placement- one in front garden and three in back garden
Personal notes - can divide in March/April or Autumn.
Try to collect seed when eventually
grows plumes.
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On photo - Pampas grass