With its dense clumps of leaves, this ornamental grass is reminiscent of a fur-like carpet of lawn. It turns out to be undemanding and easy to care for. Occasionally, interventions are necessary, which somewhat limit the ability to spread. Bearskin grass also requires attention when its beauty fades.
Bearskin grass grows beautifully on its own
Does a cut make sense?
In the case of many ornamental grasses, a radical cut is made in spring to just above the ground so that the clumps sprout with fresh energy. Festuca gauteri does not tolerate such intensive interventions because the sweet grass grows comparatively slowly. Limit the action to plucking out dead and yellow leaves. This process is recommended in the spring because the foliage protects the roots from frost during the winter. The leaves act as a natural water drain and ensure that winter moisture does not accumulate in the clumps.
Avoid self-seeding
An important measure is the removal of faded panicles, whereby you should carry out this cut in good time before the fruit develops. It's not easy for the untrained eye to tell the difference between flowers and ripe fruit. If the ears stay too long, the bearskin fescue sows quickly and heavily in the garden. August is the ideal time for this procedure.
topiary
This pruning measure relates less to the targeted formation of a special shape and more to the indirect preservation of a healthy and strong growth habit. The leaves of the plant are spared. The focus is on the flower stalks, which you cut out at their base just before the spikes open. After cleaning, the grass invests all of its energy in the formation of clumps of leaves.
rejuvenation
Older clumps often tend to fall apart because they are becoming increasingly wide and their vigor is decreasing. Masses of snow are an additional problem during the winter, because they press the leaves to the ground and promote brown discolouration in the eyrie. To prevent this, a division in autumn is recommended.
tips
The mowing proves to be unsuitable for the bearskin grass, because the blades of the lawnmower would pull the roots out of the ground with them.
method
Cut out the root ball and lift the plant out of the substrate with a spade. Roughly tap the soil from the root system and remove dried and bare spots in this step. Cut the eyrie in two in the middle and place the plants in the desired place in the garden.
Peculiarities in growth
The ornamental grass develops flat cushions that continuously expand in width with the help of short rhizomes. Although bearskin grass is slow growing, over time it can develop a furry carpet in the garden. Diameters of more than one meter are not uncommon.
Benefits of pruning measures:
- counteract bare skin from the inside out
- curb the propensity to spread
- promote healthy and compact growth