pampus grass

[MuswellMetro]

i have a few pampus grasses that always flowe very late, the feathery plumes are just out this week

any ideas on how to make them bloom earlier becasue within the month they will all be flattened by the wind

 

[yeogi75]

they do say burn them but i dont think that will bring them on early

 

[Headnavigator]

they do say burn them but i dont think that will bring them on early

Darned evil stuff - anyone got a clever way of getting rid of it - permanently?

 

[The Cumbrian]

Darned evil stuff - anyone got a clever way of getting rid of it - permanently?

Couldn't agree more. I got rid of mine by cutting back to ground level and then every time it started to sprout again.

However you will need more protection on your hands and arms than you would with an angry hive The leaves are like hacksaws.

 

[Headnavigator]

The leaves are like hacksaws.

Found that out the hard way! They also destroy any implements used on them.

 

[victor meldrew]

Found that out the hard way! They also destroy any implements used on them.

Wonderful stuff The birds always find where I've piled the spend and pruned seed heads ,makes marvelous nesting material .
Stout gloves a good stout spade to keep rootstock within bounds !
Worth the little trouble it is
VM

 

[Headnavigator]

Wonderful stuff
Worth the little trouble it is
VM

Not when it's slightly over twice as tall as I am, and suspected to be home to rats!!!

 

[victor meldrew]

I aint the pampas grass that's attracting the rats
Some other food source in the vicinity needs addressing !
VM

 

[Skyhook]

i have a few pampus grasses that always flowe very late, the feathery plumes are just out this week

any ideas on how to make them bloom earlier becasue within the month they will all be flattened by the wind

Sorry, this is when they flower. Have you got a more sheltered spot you could move it to?

 

[susbees]

I have never known a pampas grass (or lilac) I've been prepared to share a garden with

 

[rae]

Burn it. It burns back to the ground, then sprouts nicely in spring. Quite controllable in this way.

 

[alanf]

i have a few pampus grasses that always flowe very late, the feathery plumes are just out this week

any ideas on how to make them bloom earlier becasue within the month they will all be flattened by the wind

The later they are cut, the later they flower. If I cut ours back in Feb/March, that's plumes and leaves to leave a sheared stump, it grows back to elegant leaves by end of April and flowers end of August. Leave it until May snd it flowers in October.

Of course, some culivars may react differently. If you do leave the plumes until April they are popular with the sparrows for nesting material.