Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Grass-like plant
Reed sweet-grass: when and how to prune
Glyceria maxima
Reed sweet-grass is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Reed sweet-grass: when to prune it?
From late February to late March, before the new shoots appear.
Reed sweet-grass: how to prune it?
- Leave the dead stems and flower heads standing all winter: insects overwinter in the hollow stems and birds search them for seeds.
- Cut or mow them in late February or March to just above the water line.
- Remove the cuttings so they do not rot in the pond and enrich the water.
- On a long bank, preferably cut in sections: one part this year, another part next year, so there is always some shelter.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in February–March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not work on the bank from March to July, when waterbirds are nesting and frogs and toads are spawning.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Reed sweet-grass · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.