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How to revive this large grass

janinerjaniner Posts: 66
in Problem solving
Hi all
I've just moved into a new house and we have this large grass type plant. 

I love these, but not sure how to revive? Do I just try to cut out all the dead leaves? Or do I need to cut it back? There is definitely green in there... 


Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Difficult to see from photo what this is ,can you clear out some of the brown leaves? It is in need of splitting and now is the perfect time as it is starting to grow .Is there a stripe along the leaf if so could be a Miscanthus?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Cut the dead stuff back, just avoiding the new growth. 
    It could be any number of types of grass. You may have to wait until it's growing properly to tell what it is.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @janier If you have a close up of the leaves it might help .Grasses can be evergreen or deciduous. Deciduous can be cut to the ground, evergreens just pull out old leaves.
    I would dig it up and split it.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Looks like Miscanthus to me, and nothing for it but to cut the whole lot down. I don't think you can realistically avoid any new shoots, just scythe it down just above ground level with hedge trimmers or a strimmer.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    It looks like a deciduous grass like Miscanthus to me too.  Once cut, it will soon spring back within a couple of weeks at this time of year.  When it starts to regrow, you could then divide it as @GardenerSuze suggested.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • janinerjaniner Posts: 66
    Thanks everyone. I shall give it a haircut/shear in the morning. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @janiner When you have cut it back if it is dead in the middle that will let you know it will benefit from splitting. If not just leave it and enjoy. If you would still like an ID perhaps post another photo later in the year
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @janiner If you read this in time, tie a piece of string half way up so that when you cut at the base it does not go everywhere. I you need to use secateurs and the cut stems are reddish it is Miscanthus. If shears do the job possibly a Calamagrostis. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • janinerjaniner Posts: 66
    Thank you!!!
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