Miscanthus (often called Maiden Grass or Silvergrass) is one of those tough-as-nails ornamental grasses—as long as you treat it right. I see gardeners make the same mistakes with pruning all the time, which usually leads to the plant struggling to make it through the winter.
The Natural Protection of Leaves
Maiden Grass is a backyard favorite because it’s incredibly hardy. We’re talking temperatures as low as -10°F without a problem! The secret to its survival, though, is keeping its leaves intact over the winter. Those dried blades act like a natural winter coat, protecting the “heart” of every stalk. Plus, unlike some other grasses, Miscanthus doesn’t go crazy spreading via rhizomes, which makes it a fantastic alternative for a privacy hedge along fences.
Those leaves serve a vital purpose until the fresh green shoots start peeking out in the spring. However, once winter is over, those dead leaves can actually get in the way of new growth if they aren’t cleared out.
When to Grab the Shears
Since your Miscanthus needs its foliage for winter protection, you shouldn’t even think about pruning until early spring. Timing is everything here: you want to cut it back early enough that the old stalks don’t block the new growth, but not so early that the plant loses its insulation too soon. If you wait too long, the new shoots will have to fight through the old mess, resulting in deformed, floppy stalks.
The sweet spot for pruning is usually right after the last hard frost. For most of us, that’s sometime in March. You’ll want to have the job finished by late March or early April at the latest. This rule applies whether your grass is in the ground or if you’re growing Maiden Grass in containers.
How to Prune Like a Pro
Depending on how thick your grass clump has grown, a simple pair of hand pruners might do the trick, but for larger established plants, you might need to break out the hedge shears. Whatever you use, make sure your blades are clean and sharp for a nice, crisp cut.
You’ll want to cut the stalks down to about 6 to 10 inches above the ground. A pro tip: grab the stalks in bundles as you cut to keep things tidy and ensure a clean slice. Once you’re done, make sure to clear out any debris that fell into the center of the clump.
If we’re having an unusually warm spring and you see green shoots starting to pop up in March, be careful! Only cut down to the height of the new growth so you don’t damage the fresh tips. In those extra-warm years, you might even find yourself starting your garden cleanup as early as late February.
