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Ornamental Grasses

STILL NO SIGNS OF LIFE ZONE 6A

5 years ago

I have 9 established panicum Northwinds, - always been very hardy for me in zone 6A. Today is May 17th and there is still no signs of life on all the grasses! Our winter was not unusually severe, but the temperatures have been wildly fluctuating for months. It's hard to believe that they could all be dead, but I have always seen new growth by end of April/very early May. Any thoughts? thanks

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Comments (5)

WoodsTea 6a MO
5 years ago
That does seem pretty late. :( Mine aren't terribly far along, but they did start to come to life a week and a half ago or so. Did you cut them back, and if so, when?
marymmcc
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, I did cut them back in early April. This is what I have done previously.
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littlebug zone 5 Missouri
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I have the same thing going on here in 5B. I talked with a friend who works at the local greenhouse and he said he thinks he’s lost 9 clumps of pampas grass. He attributes it to our terribly dry fall, winter and spring. He’s going to wait till June 1, and if there’s no life then he will plant new.

After talking to him, I came home and looked at mine again. All grasses on slopes or otherwise dry areas have no sign of life. The few that are showing minor growth are in low spots. He may just be right.
marymmcc
Original Author
5 years ago
I went ahead and dug them out. There was not a sign of growth in all 9 plants. Northwinds are supposed to be very hardy, able to withstand cold and drought. I am baffled and disappointed.
WoodsTea 6a MO
5 years ago
Sorry to hear that. It's surprising to me that deep-rooted grasses like that wouldn't make it through a dry winter. Perhaps when they're not actively growing is when they're most vulnerable to drought (or to temperature swings like we had this year as you say).
marymmcc thanked WoodsTea 6a MO

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