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Pennisetum cutting back advice

DaisypicDaisypic Posts: 80
in Plants
I have a few varieties of this grass which were planted this year, being new to gardening I am unsure whether I should be cutting them back now, as a few articles I have read say they should be cut back in the spring. I live in Wales, so do not have the hard frosts that happen in the North of the UK. Any advice would be grateful. Thanks 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353
    Many of them aren't hardy, so it'll depend on what you have.  :)
    Most people would leave them till spring anyway, regardless. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DaisypicDaisypic Posts: 80
    These are the ones I have:

    Rubrum, Herbstzauber and Red Head, I guess I treat them all the same? 

    Thanks


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353
    Rubrum certainly isn't hardy, so would need brought inside. 
    I'm not familiar with the other two, but you could look here  for info - they're one of the biggest, and most reliable suppliers of grasses

    https://www.knollgardens.co.uk/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DaisypicDaisypic Posts: 80
    Fairygirl said:
    Rubrum certainly isn't hardy, so would need brought inside. 
    I'm not familiar with the other two, but you could look here  for info - they're one of the biggest, and most reliable suppliers of grasses

    https://www.knollgardens.co.uk/
    Thanks for your help and the link. I will probably take a chance and cut back and mulch the Rebrum, I will check out the advice for the other two. I naively thought they could all be treated the same, this is a steep learning curve for me! 😱

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353
    P. Red head seems to be hardy, but the foliage should be left on over winter on grasses to help protect new growth, and to allow the seed heads to be seen. They then get cut back as new growth appears in spring. Anything completely dead and brown can be cut back though. 

    I wouldn't cut back the rubrum. The foliage will help protect it.  If you aren't able to lift it, you'll just need to protect it with fleece and cross your fingers it survives.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,436
    ..this is 'Herbstzauber' in October... I would just enjoy it for longer, or you can cut back now if you want to tidy up.. otherwise leave until Spring, same for Red Head...


    Rubrum is unlikely to survive without excessive mollycoddling... gave up on that one long ago, so best of luck..
    East Anglia, England
  • DaisypicDaisypic Posts: 80
    Marlorena said:
    ..this is 'Herbstzauber' in October... I would just enjoy it for longer, or you can cut back now if you want to tidy up.. otherwise leave until Spring, same for Red Head...


    Rubrum is unlikely to survive without excessive mollycoddling... gave up on that one long ago, so best of luck..
    Thanks for your advice, my Herbstzauber is looking like yours.  Sounds like the Rubrum wasn’t a good choice but at least I will know for the future. 🤞🤞
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