The good news is that this type of grass is also hardy. Depending on whether it has been planted in a bed or is growing in a pot, there are a few things you should consider and prepare before overwintering the pennisetum. The right location is also important. We summarize!
Do you have to cut pennisetum grass?
Yes, but not before wintering. Instead, they serve as natural winter protection as they insulate the root ball from low temperatures. This also has an aesthetic advantage: the discolored leaves look pretty in the dreary, wintry garden and thus provide a decorative effect, while the majority of them are bare outside.
is cutnot until spring again, best when you notice the first new shoots and ground frost is no longer expected. However, when cutting, be careful not to injure the new shoots, as they will no longer be able to recover, which will affect the lush appearance of the grass.
How to prepare the plant for winter?
Although the pennisetum (Pennisetumsp.) is hardy and therefore survives the winter very well outdoors, it is worth preparing it for this. It is also important that you have previously planted them in a place protected from the wind, as the cold winds can be very difficult for the ornamental grass. How exactly can you winterize Pennisetum grass?
- Tie pennisetum grass together in winter
This is not mandatory, but it has the advantage that the leaves and stalks are not crushed by heavy snow. It helps that the plant, which is actually already dead above ground, can stand upright and is protected from the harsher elements of the weather. This also includes accumulated moisture, which would otherwise collect under the dry parts of the plant and only evaporate with difficulty because ventilation is disturbed. The tied grass allows the air to circulate better.
- Winter protection for the roots
Help the ornamental grass fight the cold by providing protection for the root area. A layer of mulch is ideal for this. So if you want to overwinter the Pennisetum grass outdoors, spread out brushwood, leaves, bark mulch or similar material as desired that acts as an insulating layer. The material also gradually decomposes. As a result of the chemical reactions, the material heats up and turns into a natural heater, so to speak.
As an alternative to natural plant material as mulch, special plant fleeces are also suitable. The special thing about them is that, in contrast to unsuitable normal films, for example, they protect against the cold, but at the same time remain breathable, so that waterlogging and mold formation are prevented.
Pennisetum grass hibernates in a bucket
If you want to overwinter Pennisetum grass in a pot, the right protection is more important. Despite potting soil, the pot cannot protect the roots from freezing as well as the natural garden soil. what isin a container plantto consider?
You'll be happy: the potted plant can also stay outside, so you don't have to find winter quarters for it (which would still be a possible option). Perfect if you don't have such space. BUT: The hardy plant still needs to be protected as follows:
- Place the bucket in a suitable location
During the warm seasons, the location is less important because, with the exception of the blazing summer sun, the weather conditions are not as challenging and, as you know, the ornamental grass loves the sunny location. However, you may want to move the plant over the winter if the current location does not meet the necessary requirements for the cold season. That would be: protected from the wind and covered. Too much wind not only cools the roots, but also dries out the soil more quickly. If there is too much moisture from rain or melting snow, there is a risk of rot.
- Provide winter protection
Protective measures are more important than ever in the bucket.
- It's worth tying the stalks together again, because this makes it easier to use winter protection, among other things.
- Apply a layer of mulch to the soil surface to protect the roots. Leaves, pine branches and straw are a few of the possibilities.
- It is best to place the pot elevated. Styrofoam is a good insulating material that you can place the plant on in winter.
- Protect the sides of the container. To do this, wrap the bucket with bubble wrap, coconut mats, jute or plant fleece as desired.
- The entire pot and plant can be covered with fleece, but this makes later watering more difficult.
Speaking of watering:Apart from the fact that the plant now needs less moisture, but the root ball must never dry out completely (which can happen faster than expected in the pot), you have to choose suitable days for this. Always water only on frost-free days - sufficiently, but without causing waterlogging.
