Every year around the middle of summer, my ornamental grasses fall over and look bad instead of standing straight up like other people’s do. Is there anything I can do to keep them from flopping?.
A: Some grasses are taller and denser and just more prone to flopping over like that than others. Maidenhair grass (Miscanthus), for example, is a more likely flopper than feather reed grass (Calamagrostis).
Growers also have bred and selected improved types for their tighter habits. Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), for instance, is more upright than the general switchgrass species.
But beyond the variety you pick in the first place, there are some other factors involved in floppiness.
One is lack of sunlight. Most tall ornamental grasses get “leggy” in the shade and stretch for the light. This makes them more likely to fall apart. Most grasses do best in full sun.
A second possibility is soil thats too rich, especially with an over abundance of nitrogen. Somewhat compacted and thin soil slows down grass growth, which may be a good thing in this case for stockier growth.
Third, you might try digging and dividing your grass clumps if you havent done that in awhile. Most grasses benefit from division every 3 or 4 years.
When you divide, throw away the oldest part in the middle and take the clumps you split from around the edges. During the growing season, if you see that the middle of your clumps is empty, that means the oldest part has already died and you should divide them.
Ornamental grasses add gorgeous texture and movement to gardens with their slender blades and airy plumes. But their tall, top-heavy growth habit can lead to flopping and falling over, especially with larger varieties Nothing ruins the beauty of ornamental grasses faster than flattened, lodged stems and foliage
Luckily, preventing and fixing fallen grasses is not difficult with some simple best practices. Read on to learn what causes floppy grass and how to keep both newly planted and established ornamental grasses standing tall.
Why Ornamental Grasses Fall Over
Before exploring solutions, it’s helpful to understand what triggers flopping in the first place. Here are the most common causes of lodging:
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Excessive fertility – Too much nitrogen fertilizer leads to weak lanky stems unable to support the weight of leaves and seed heads. This is by far the #1 reason grasses flop.
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Insufficient sunlight – Inadequate light also produces stretched, weak growth prone to toppling over.
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Overcrowding – When clumps grow too dense, interior stems cannot support themselves and fall into surrounding foliage.
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Excess moisture – Soggy soil compromises root systems and makes stems more likely to bend and lodge.
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Heavy rain or wind – Storm damage can flatten tender new growth before plants become established.
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Excess size – The sheer size and weight of overgrown plants causes them to collapse under their own bulk.
Paying attention to these causes is key to keeping your grasses standing straight.
Tips to Prevent Ornamental Grass From Falling Over
Stopping floppy grass starts with proper care and maintenance. Here are organic, non-invasive ways to avoidissues:
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Plant in full sun – Choose a location with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun to promote rigid, self-supporting stems.
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Improve drainage – Make sure the soil drains well to prevent waterlogging. Add compost to heavy clay soils to lighten texture.
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Allow room to grow – Give each grass 1-3 feet of space depending on its mature width to prevent crowding.
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Avoid excess nitrogen – Feed grasses very conservatively, only using slow-release organic fertilizers when needed.
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Divide on schedule – Thin and divide clumps every 2-4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
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Cut back in late winter – Pruning away old growth prevents plants from flopping under the weight of debris.
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Add support structures – Place decorative obelisks, hoops or poles around newly planted grasses until their root systems establish.
Follow these tips and you’ll have grasses that stand tall with minimal need for intervention.
How to Stake and Support Fallen Grasses
Sometimes despite your best efforts, ornamental grasses will inevitably flop, especially after rain or wind storms. When this happens, you’ll need to stake and support them until they recover. Here are some effective staking techniques:
Use Unobtrusive Bamboo Stakes
For light stabilization, place several bamboo stakes strategically around the grass clump. Wrap soft twine or string around the foliage, securing it loosely to the stakes. Remove the stakes after a week or two once stems regain strength. Choose green stakes and string to visually recede into the foliage.
Build a Hidden Grid With Twine
For a more enclosing support system, hammer sturdy stakes into the ground around the perimeter of the grass. Wrap twine horizontally and vertically in a loose grid pattern around the stems, attaching it to the stakes. This offers great stability while allowing some natural movement.
Insert Single Stakes Into Center of Clumps
For quick support, pound a tall, heavy stake deep into the center of the grass clump. Tie foliage bundles gently to the stake at intervals along its length to prop stems upright. Remove the stake after foliage firms up.
Use Decorative Hoop Supports
For lightweight grasses, slide hoops made of branches, twisted willow, or decorative metal over the clump. Allow stems to rest against the hoop while keeping space for air movement. The hoops can remain as ornamental features when grasses recover.
Build Custom Cylinder Supports
Surround grass with a custom cylinder cage made from hardware cloth, chicken wire, or deer fencing. Use sturdy metal or wooden posts at the corners, wrapping the enclosure material around the clump and securing it to the corner posts. Remove once no longer needed.
Loosen Soil and Re-Root Plants
For grasses that are falling over repeatedly, the issue may be compromised roots. Carefully dig up the plant, loosen any circling roots, then replant at the same level, firming soil around the base. Water deeply to encourager new root growth before removing supports.
With the right approach, keeping tall grasses standing upright does not require constant intervention. Focus on prevention first through proper planting and care. Then utilize temporary staking and supports as needed if grasses start to lodge and fall. With a little diligent attention, you can enjoy the graceful beauty of your ornamental grasses all season long.
Techniques for Discreetly Tying Back Overgrown Grasses
While staking flopped grasses gets them upright again, it does not solve the issue of grasses that have simply grown too large for their space. Overgrown ornamental grasses can quickly overwhelm neighboring plants and structures.
To reign in gigantic clumps, tying tall grasses back neatly is key. Here are organic strategies to make tying back grasses almost invisible:
Use Pliable Twine or String
Stiff, rough ropes will damage fragile grass stems. Choose soft twine or string that can be cinched snugly around stems without harming them. Gardening twine comes in natural green that hides much better than brighter colors.
Place Stakes Around Perimeter
Rather than one central stake, insert several stakes evenly around the grass perimeter. This offers more anchor points for tie-backs and looks more natural. Choose slender bamboo stakes that blend into foliage.
Wrap Twine Below Seed Heads
Carefully wrap twine horizontally around grass stems right below where stalks bend and plumes begin. Avoid compressing the looser, flowing upper foliage.
Tie Loosely to Allow Movement
Secure twine to stakes, but keep it just snug enough to reign in stalks. Over-cinching flattens plants and ruins their natural shape. Leave some slack so tied-back stems sway gently.
Work Twine Into Foliage
After tying twine to stakes, gently shake the grass clump to loosely integrate twine into interior stems. The less twine is visible from outside, the better.
Hide Visible Twine Ends
Coil any visible loose twine ends and tuck into the grass clump out of sight. You want just the foliage shape, not construction details, to show.
Blend Stakes Into Stems
Use slender green stakes that disappear against stems. For thicker stakes, trim any portions above the tie-back twine. Push stakes deeper into clump so just their tips peek out.
Remove Ties After Bloom Period
Keep ties in place only as long as needed to control size. Remove them after the bloom period so grasses can resume their full natural shape.
With a gentle, undetectable touch, you can temporally tame gigantic grasses without sacrificing their beauty.
Choosing the Best Ornamental Grasses to Resist Flopping
While most ornamental grasses will flop without proper care, some varieties are naturally more rigid and upright than others. To minimize staking and supports, look for these sturdier grass types:
Maiden Grass – Miscanthus
Maiden grass cultivars form self-supporting leafy stems and plumes up to 10 feet tall. Try ‘Morning Light’ or ‘Adagio’ for great stiffness.
Fountain Grass – Pennisetum
Dense clumps of arching leaves make Pennisetum relatively resistant to falling over. ‘Hameln’ and ‘Little Bunny’ are excellent upright choices.
Tufted Hair Grass – Deschampsia
Fine-textured, mounding Deschampsia grasses have great strength in their wiry stems. ‘Goldtau’ and ‘Northern Lights’ stay neatly vertical.
Moor Grass – Molinia
Narrow Moor Grass stems stand independently in neat, compact clumps. Try ‘Skyracer’ or ‘Transparent’ for sturdiness.
Blue Lyme Grass – Leymus arenarius
Stiff, spiky foliage resists flopping on tall blue Lyme grass. ‘Findhorn’ in particular keeps excellent posture.
Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii
This native prairie grass forms tight upright tufts. ‘Red October’ is a stunning maroon selection that won’t lean or lodge.
Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium
Another tough prairie native, little bluestem boasts great wind resistance. ‘The Blues’ is a favorite blue-hued variety.
By selecting naturally rigid grasses suited to your growing conditions, you can avoid many dreaded flopping issues altogether. Partner these sturdy plants with proper planting practices and minimal fertilization for a flawless upright shape year after year.
Designing With Ornamental Grasses for Maximum Impact
Now that you know how to keep them standing tall, it’s time to highlight ornamental grasses in your landscape design. Here are some gorgeous and graceful ways to showcase their beauty:
Create Privacy Screens
Use large grasses like Miscanthus to form living privacy screens, hiding unattractive views while allowing air flow. Underplant shorter grasses in front.
Define Garden Rooms
Flank garden paths or seating areas with matching plants of vertical grasses. The walls of foliage create a sense of enclosure.
Make Bold Focal Points
Plant attention-grabbing specimen grasses like giant Sacaton in prominent spots to draw the eye. Surround them with lower-growing companions.
Line Walkways or Borders
Edge paved or gravel garden paths with a continuous row of uniform grass plants like low-growing Hakonechloa ‘All Gold’.
Add Color and Textural Contrast
Let wispy grasses contrast with broad hosta leaves, bright flowers, or bold foliage. Purple fountain grass pops against chartreuse plants.
Softly Illuminate Gardens
Upright white-variegated grasses seem to glow in shady settings. Miscanthus ‘Cosmopolitan’ adds luminous intrigue.
Replace Water-Hungry Lawns
Replace high-maintenance turf with decorative grasses that need little mowing or watering once established.
With the right selection and placement, ornamental grasses bring movement, texture and amazing seasonal interest to landscapes in any style. Best of all, their low-maintenance nature fits perfectly into eco-friendly, sustainable gardens.
Enjoy Gorgeous Grasses Without the Flop
Ornamental grasses impart gorgeous form, color and sound to gardens when their slender blades sway in the breeze. But their commanding size comes with a tendency to eventually lean and collapse – not a good look. Luckily, with preventative care, selective planting, and a few stabilization techniques, keeping grasses standing tall and proud is very achievable. Focus on providing ideal growing conditions, allow enough space for air circulation, and avoid excessive fertility. Step in promptly to add unobtrusive supports if flopping occurs. Most importantly, choose naturally rigid grass varieties suited to your site. By following these guidelines, you’ll be rewarded with a graceful, flawless ornamental grass display that lasts all season.
The BEST Way to Prune Ornamental Grasses
How do you keep ornamental grass from falling over?
Weave the ties in and out of stems to make them less conspicuous. This will ensure that your ornamental grasses remain upright and attractive throughout the winter months. If your ornamental grass has already fallen over, don’t worry! You can give it a quick fix until the stems are strong enough to hold themselves up again.
How do you care for a tall ornamental grass?
Pruning helps prevent the plants from becoming too top-heavy and falling over. Staking and using garden twine is an effective way to support tall ornamental grasses. Bamboo stakes are ideal because they blend well with the plant and can be pushed into the ground slightly inside the perimeter of the clump.
Do ornamental grasses fall over?
Most of these grasses need very little care and thrive on neglect, so they’re perfect for even novice gardeners to grow. One of the few problems you may have with an ornamental grass plant, however, is the stems falling over, otherwise known as lodging of ornamental grasses.
Why is my ornamental grass falling?
Once they grow to an overly large size, the sheer weight of the mass of grass blades can cause the entire plant to bend down and fall over. Divide the plants in spring before any fresh shoots appear and plant each new grass clump far enough away so that it doesn’t shade its neighbors. So how do you fix falling ornamental grass once it’s happened?