The right ornamental grass can be found for every taste. Whether large or small, evergreen, winter green or summer green, with narrow or broad leaves, with red or yellow-brown autumn leaves, with bushy or bristly flowers - the variety seems almost limitless. But what about winter hardiness?

Most ornamental grasses in this country are hardy

These ornamental grasses are hardy!

Most ornamental grasses that can be found commercially in this country are frost-tolerant and hardy. They easily tolerate temperatures down to -20 °C. These include, among others:

  • Chinese reed
  • Schmiele
  • Pennisetum grass
  • diamond grass
  • Switchgrass
  • love grass
  • pampas grass
  • giant feather grass
  • flat spike grass
  • bearskin fescue
  • Silver spike grass
  • Blue moor grass
  • riding grass
  • Japan sedge
  • Morning Star Sedge

For example, ornamental oat, silver grass, proso millet, feather bristle grass, brome and hare's tail grass are not hardy and therefore annual. But these species like to reseed themselves every year. Therefore, you do not have to replant them again and again.

Protect in cool regions

In cooler regions such as high altitudes or in coastal areas, it is no mistake to protect ornamental grasses in winter.

  • Tie tall grasses such as pampas grass into a tuft
  • Cover the root area with brushwood, leaves or a layer of compost mulch
  • Leave the culms over the winter
  • if necessary, cut off the flowers in autumn (to prevent self-seeding)

Stop fertilizing after September!

If you continue to generously supply your ornamental grasses with fertilizer after mid-September, you will soon be at a disadvantage. The late application of fertilizers has a negative effect on the winter hardiness of these plants. It makes them more sensitive to frost. Therefore: Do not fertilize after August!

Ornamental grasses in the tub - helpless without support

Ornamental grasses that are supposed to spend the winter in a bucket, for example outside on the balcony or terrace, feel completely helpless. They in particular need some attention in winter, otherwise they could dry up, drown or even freeze to death.

Ornamental grasses in tubs on the balcony or terrace or at the entrance to the house should always receive winter protection from October. This should be left until March. Otherwise there is a risk that their roots will freeze and the plants will dry up as they can no longer absorb water.

Drain off excess water and water when dry

If the potted plants are against the house wall, they are not exposed to the weather. From this it follows that they do not receive moisture from above. Therefore, you should water these ornamental grasses sparingly in winter. Just enough so they don't dry out! If the potted plants are outdoors, they should be protected from moisture. This is usually done by the stalks, provided they have not been cut off.

tips

Ornamental grasses that are considered hardy but were only planted outdoors in autumn should urgently be protected in the root area in the first year. They were not able to root properly until winter and are therefore sensitive to frost.

Category:

Indoor plants