Impressive and beautiful, pampas grass is a hardy plant with undeniable charm. With its very beautiful flowering that lasts, it will bring a certain exotic touch to your garden. You want to know more ? Follow the guide, we give you all the useful information about this incredible plant.
Contents
1) Pampas grass: what is it?
2)Planting pampas grass.
2.1)Where to plant it?
2.2)How to plant it?
3)Maintenance of pampas grass: watering, pruning,…
3.1)Watch out for the invasion!
1)Pampas grass: what is it?
Pampas grass , by its scientific name, cortaderia selloana , is a very beautiful perennial plant of the Poaceae family and which comes from South America. Very tall, pampas grass can reach 3 meters in height and its evergreen foliage can reach 2 meters in width.
It is a hardy plant , accustomed to extreme temperature changes, which will therefore withstand harsh winters, which can go down to -15 degrees, without problem.
Its foliage is dense and bushy , composed of long leaves with drooping ends and a beautiful green. Be careful, these sheets are very sharp! Between August and December, its flowering can be observed emerging above the foliage , forming long feathery spikes, from white to purple, passing through yellow, silver or even pink.
It is a dioecious species . That is to say that she will need, to reproduce, a male foot and a female foot. Be careful, therefore, if you have several pampas grasses: in the event of reproduction, it is an invasive plant that can harm your other plants .
2)Planting pampas grass.
Although easy to acclimatize , pampas grass needs to be planted under certain conditions in order to promote its development and good growth .
2.1 )Where to plant it?
It is a desert plant , which lives in arid conditions. It is therefore accustomed to stony and calcareous soil . Pampas grass will find its place perfectly in a large garden, it is impossible to hope to have it in a pot. Unfortunately, it is not a plant for everyone! The optimal conditions for pampas grass are therefore a garden where it will have space to grow, drained soil and full sun exposure . Moreover, it is quite an invasive plant. It is important to avoid planting it too close to other species.
There are several varieties of pampas grasses . The maintenance and the way of planting them remain the same for all. The only thing that differs is the color of the bloom and the appearance of the plant . Look carefully, therefore, according to the aesthetics and the color of bloom that you wish to admire!
2.2 )How to plant it?
When it is in seed , it will have to be planted in drained soil , in a seed tray or in a pot. Make sure it stays warm and the soil is constantly moistened during germination. Once you have a nice plant about 15cm tall , it’s time to plant your brand new pampas grass. Plant it ideally in the spring after the last frosts. HASnote that you can absolutely get a plant that you will plant directly in the ground in the same way, in order to avoid the germination process.
Although undemanding, pampas grass needs moist, cool soil for a good start. Dig a hole of a good depth, between 40 and 60 cm. If your soil is too dry, add drained potting soil and organic fertilizer, as pampas grass loves fertile soil. Pack well to avoid any air pockets between the roots and water abundantly. It will be necessary to monitor the humidity of the soil until it has sufficiently acclimatized to your garden. Then gradually stop watering.
3)Pampas grass maintenance: watering, pruning,…
Pampas grass has the advantage of being a very easy plant to maintain. It is a rustic variety , so it is very resistant. Indeed, no watering is necessary ! However, in the event of severe drought in summer, take care to water the plant regularly, because even if it shows great adaptability, it does not appreciate too dry climates.
For the winter, however, despite its good resistance to frost and especially if you live in very cold rgions, make sure you cover it with a winter veil and mulch the base .
A pruning around March/April is essential . Cut back the clump to ground level to make room for new shoots. You can prune the plant in winter by removing faded leaves and pruning any that you consider necessary to keep it looking good. If you wish, you can also cut the flower stems at the base in winter: they will form a magnificent bouquet! Be careful when cutting. It is imperative to bring thick gloves because the pampas grass cuts like a razor !
Please note: this plant is often home to protected species such as the hedgehog. Be careful when pruning it and do not burn it, as is sometimes advised.
As for fertilizer, none is needed. You can, however, add a perennial fertilizer if you find it helpful, but pampas grass grows and blooms very well on its own . In addition, this plant does not know any disease or pest !
3.1)Watch out for the invasion!
Pampas grass is very invasive , so be very careful. If you are planting more than one, make sure they are all either male or female , to prevent them from reproducing and invading your garden. Likewise, these plants spread their seeds over a very wide area and may invade the ecosystem around your home, as they grow at the expense of other plant species . For ecological reasons and to also preserve your garden , remember to cut the inflorescences before they go to seed ! Also avoid multiplying it so that it does not destroy your other plantations. If you want a beautiful flowering despite everything,cut the flowering stems at the beginning of winter and make magnificent floral arrangements and dry bouquets to decorate your interior!
In conclusion, pampas grass is a very beautiful plant , which will seduce with its amazing appearance and spectacular flowering. Very easy to maintain , it’s a good way to add a nice touch of exoticism without complicating your task too much. However, we recommend that you pay close attention to its invasive side , which has unfortunately already harmed the flora of certain regions of France.