Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Grass-like plant
Perennial ryegrass: when and how to prune
Lolium perenne
Perennial ryegrass is best pruned in June and September.
| Pruning months | June and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Perennial ryegrass: when to prune it?
In a hay meadow in late June and September; mow a lawn from April to October, whenever the grass is 8–10 cm tall.
Perennial ryegrass: how to prune it?
- Cut a hay meadow with a scythe, brush cutter or bar mower at 5–10 cm.
- Leave the hay for a few days so that seeds can drop and animals can escape, then rake it off.
- Leave a strip or corner uncut each time: caterpillars and other insects overwinter in the grass tussocks.
- Never cut more than a third of the height of a lawn at once.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: June and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Before cutting long grass, check for hedgehogs, toads or young birds, and cut from the centre outwards so that animals can escape.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Perennial ryegrass · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.