Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Grasses

Percy-GrowerPercy-Grower Posts: 253
in Problem solving
Hi guys, it's been a while, got a bit of a conundrum. 
I know you can comb through stipa tenuissima, but I've recently planted up a new flower bed with young plants grown on from plugs, the stipa are shading out the sun from these young plants, so to let the sun through I've tied the grasses up, questions are will tying them up have a detrimental effect on them? Or can I cut them back and by how much.
My location is Central Scotland
Thanks in advance
Percy 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have lots of these as they self-seed profusely.
    I cut all of mine back to about 1"-2" above ground about a month ago and they are just showing new growth.
    You could do the same, they'll soon start regrowing

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I do it to about 6" . Don't know if it's the right thing to do but the old stalks seem to support the new grass a bit and makes it a little less floppy .
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I would put the stipa somewhere else or else give them the room they need by re-spacing the plug plants to leave more space between them and the stipas.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I'd probably place all the Stipas at the back of the bed as a backdrop and reposition some of the other plants so that they have space to grow without being shaded.  Some of your spacing may need adjusting anyway as your plants grow.  I usually just take the top two inches off Stipa tenuissimas when they get a bit floppy so that they still look natural.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Percy-GrowerPercy-Grower Posts: 253
    Thanks for the replies guys, some useful info. I agree it's a bit crammed, it's a brand new bed, so I am expecting to juggle things about a bit. I'll cut back the grass for starters. 
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    edited May 2022
    Is the grit stopping the slimy so-and-sos?
Sign In or Register to comment.