The decorative zebra grass (Miscanthus) is sometimes also referred to as tiger grass and, like other types of reed, is often used as a contrast to the flowers in rose beds with perennials. In order for this sweet grass to develop optimally, a few basic rules regarding location and cutting must be observed.

Zebra grass can grow up to five feet tall

Pruning is very important with this plant

While some plants in the garden can certainly cut a fine figure without a grooming and shaping cut, the annual cut of the zebra grass is a must. Finally, the above-ground parts of this hardy plant die off over the winter and then no longer look particularly aesthetic in the spring. Old, withered stalks also disrupt new growth in zebra grass by shielding the sunlight from the new shoots. Apart from that, cutting this plant, in contrast to some shrubs, does not have a particularly stimulating effect on growth, since the parts of the plant to be removed are already withered, dead stalks and leaves.

Do not cut the zebra grass too early

Quite a few hobby gardeners make the mistake of cutting off the zebra grass close to the ground in late autumn or at the beginning of winter in order to tidy up the garden before winter. But this is fatal because the dry leaves above the root ball:

  • keeps out excess moisture
  • offers some protection from the winter cold
  • offers many animals (especially insects) a winter habitat or nesting material

The zebra grass should therefore only be cut off just above the ground with sharp pruning shears in the spring. The best time to do this is when the first new green shoots appear at the base of the plant.

The late and somewhat more laborious pruning of zebra grass

The zebra grass should not be cut too early, but you should not miss the ideal time for the pruning either. If the new, green shoots have already grown tall and into the dead material of the previous year, it may be necessary to painstakingly cut out the dead stalks one by one so as not to damage the new shoots.

Getting the zebra grass through the winter well

For aesthetic and practical reasons, the dry stalks of zebra grass should be tied together in clumps with a piece of twine in the fall. In this way, they are not pushed apart by the snow and visually give a much more decorative picture. While specimens in the garden bed usually get through the winter without further protection, potted specimens on the balcony should sometimes be protected from the worst winter cold with some bubble wrap or other protective materials.

tips

After a few years in the same location, the growth in size of the zebra grass levels off by itself at some point at a maximum height of around 1.60 metres. To limit the spread of this vigorous reed species to the side, installing a rhizome barrier in the ground can be considered. Otherwise, it is also possible to simply cut off lateral outgrowths of the zebra grass eyrie in spring with a sharp spade and replant them in another place. Whole hedges or privacy screens made of zebra grass can be planted over a period of several years.

Category:

Vegetable garden