Cut Back Perennials & Ornamental Grasses

A great way to clean up your landscape in the spring is to cut back your perennials and ornamental grasses. Removing the old material will make room for new lush growth. It will also help reduce the transfer of any disease that may have afflicted your plants last year. 

When cutting back, be sure to cut back to three inches from the ground. If you cut any closer, you risk possibly damaging the crown, as it is often at or above the soil surface, not below it. A saw blade on a straight shaft weed whacker can aid in cutting back large ornamental grasses. Check with the manufacturer before attempting to attach a saw blade to your power equipment. Be sure to remove any of the cut material to make room for new growth.