Photo: Przykuta, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Ornamental grass
Purple moor grass: when and how to prune
Molinia caerulea
Purple moor grass is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Purple moor grass: when to prune it?
Hardly any pruning is needed: the stems break off by themselves in winter. In March tidy up the rest before the new leaves appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Purple moor grass: how to prune it?
- In winter gather or rake up the loose stems; they snap off at the base on their own.
- In March cut the remaining dead leaves back to 5–10 cm above the ground.
- Work carefully so you do not damage the heart of the clump.
- Put the dry stems on the compost heap.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in 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 cut back in autumn: that is exactly when the golden stems look their best.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Purple moor grass · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.