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Help to Identify Ornamental Grass Type

jwmac79IXhXk4m_jwmac79IXhXk4m_ Posts: 6
in Plants
Looking for some help identifying this grass in our garden.  Can you help?? I'm not sure if I'm meant to cut off the old leaves to the ground level now as there are some green shoots appearing now? Any help/advice much appreciated. Cheers jen

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've no idea what it is, but I think the dead foliage should be cut right back or it's not going to look great anyway :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jwmac79IXhXk4m_ Here they should be cut back end of February  to the ground. I would cut them back to ground level now and see what you get. I could take a guess at a Calamagrostis or Panicum but that would be it. 
    All deciduous grasses are cut back end Feb early March. Evergreens just tease out the dead stuff. The only exception is Pennisetums which can be tender and should be left until April for a tidy. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • jwmac79IXhXk4m_jwmac79IXhXk4m_ Posts: 6
    Ah thanks very much.  I'll give it a go and cut them back and hopefully it's not too late in the season to try and revive them.  I have about 10 of them so a chance the odd one may survive 😁🤞
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jwmac79IXhXk4m_ I would like to think that they will all survive assuming that there is some signs of life at the base of each plant. If not they may already be dead. If they are alive they are grasses and will grow.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jwmac79IXhXk4m_ The one in your first photo is alive.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • jwmac79IXhXk4m_jwmac79IXhXk4m_ Posts: 6
    Great news. Yes there are strands of green appearing in most but probably stifled by the dead mass so I'll cut it all back tomorrow.  
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jwmac79IXhXk4m_ One last thought which may help. Tie some string around the middle of each, then cut that will stop it going everywhere. Useful if you have ten. They can be lifted and split if you have losses but best to do in early spring just as they start to grow strongly. Never divide into small pieces as it can take some grasses time to establish. A photo when they are growing will get you an ID.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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