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Ornamental Grasses

Pampas Grass looks bad

9 years ago

We've had 3 Pampas Grass Plants surrounding our little pond for about 8 years. We cut them back in January and each spring they start their comeback and by July/August are starting their plumage. We had a particularly harsh winter this year but we've had them before and they've always done good. This year all 3 have very little growth and no sign of plumes or getting any bigger. I've attached a picture of one of the plants. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Comments (4)

Jerry1946
Original Author
9 years ago
Pardon the pond mess - it was under reconstruction, but this is how the pampas grass looked in late June of 2013.
TexasRanger10
9 years ago
Pampas grass dies out in the center as it ages. I see them all over the city looking exactly like yours, that center dead area will just get larger each year. You have to dig & divide the plants when this happens or core out the center with a saw below the soil, add some soil and let the plants fill back in with new growth. Good luck, its a real bear trimming or dealing with this grass because of the sharp leaves.
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I was just given some "Northern Pampas Grass" by a friend in Utah, Zone 5. I also am Zone 5 but in NM. In line with some of your suggestions, he cuts his back in the Spring and told me to do it early, or the new leaves will look blunt where they were cut. He says it will grow to 12 ft. I know that Pampas Grass has been outlawed in parts of Tucson, AZ because it is so invasive. I live in the middle of a national forest and do NOT want to introduce non-native plants to the wilderness. Is Norther Pampas Grass as invasive as Pampas Grass? My friend's wife said the NPG pops up very quickly where not planted. My friend says it can easily be pulled out the first year---but has a deep root if left to be established. Right now- I am thinking of growing in a pot on my patio- far from natural vegetation. Thanks for any advice.
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I would like it. Have you cut it . I live in Cumming. Let me know where to pick up. My email is money1959@aol.com
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It would take at least that long to grow back.
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Frankly, it looks more like Miscanthus sinensis to me. I've never seen a C. selloana with a single white mid-vein. Do you have a photo of it blooming? That would tell the tale. I think part of the problem is the fact you didn't cut the old growth down far enough. It should be no more than 6" from the ground. It's hiding a lot of the new growth, but the new growth I can see looks healthy enough. I'd stop the fertilizer. If you give grasses too much fertilizer, they'll flop. All I give my grasses is a yearly topdressing of compost under the mulch around them. Rake away the mulch, apply an inch or so of well-aged compost, and rake the mulch back over it.
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donn_
9 years ago
It looks like center die-out. It's common with older grasses. Pampas Grass is best divided every 3-4 years to avoid it.

You can take divisions from the outer, healthy perimeter, dig out the dead section of the crown, and plant the divisions in its place.

It also looks like you have some other plants invading. Is that Vinca I see, among others?
Jerry1946
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone for the replies. I remember last year before they began to grow, we saw what appeared to be a dead place about 18" circumference in the middle but they filled in OK. I'll take the advise advise and try to save them.

Thanks again.

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