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Pampas grass
Does anyone have any advice on how to keep a clump of pampas to a managable size. I have inherited a clump in a part of the garden that I wouldn't have chosen. It's in an awkward place to consider actually taking it out but I can live with it as long as it doesn't get any bigger. Should I be doing anything with it to keep it small and tidy? Does cutting it all down to the base slow it down or will that just encourage it to grow more?
Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
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My nan had one in her garden and every year I used to cut it back by around half, but the trouble is you need to be wearing thick clothing and gloves, because it can give you nasty cuts!! People used to (and I believe some still do) set them on fire...this gets rid of all the dead stuff in the middle and makes the plant regenerate itself.
If it's in an awkward part of the garden and you're not 100% sure you want it there! I'd suggest getting rid of it and replacing it with something else you would like to see in your garden
The awkwardness is that it would be very difficult to get at to dig it out. It is tucked in a confined space with a rose, some holm oak, two silver birch trees, a lilac and some holly. Access is made even harder by the fact that it is next to the pond. Altogether a rather tricky spot
If you're doing anything to it at this time of year keep an eye open for hibernating hedgehogs - pampas grass is a favourite location to spend the winter
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've had a miniature one for several years now and it hasn't got any bigger at all! Lovely little thing when it flowers, almost like looking at a bonsai pampas grass!
if you want rid then cut it back as hard as you can, once it regrows leaves to about 6 inches long spray it with a high strength weed killer (glyphosate is good) you might have to repeat a few times (its hardy stuff) its a lot easier to dig out a couple of months later once its dead!
Thanks for all your advice. I think it has to go! If I put it off it will just get bigger and harder to get out. In the right place I think they can be stunning but squashed in with a lot of other shrubs and trees just doesn't work. Thanks all