How to prune evergreen miscanthus

Late winter to early spring. In mild climates: rake out dead lower blades by hand and trim untidy tips with shears — leave the living green growth intact. In colder zones where top growth dies: cut to 4–6 inches above the crown in late February. Remove spent flower stems at the base.

Annually. Evergreen miscanthus (Miscanthus transmorrisonensis) is semi-evergreen to evergreen in mild climates, unlike its deciduous relatives. It does not need a full cut-back each year. Instead, comb out dead blades in late winter or early spring and trim the tips. In colder zones where it dies back fully, cut to the base as you would standard miscanthus.

In mild climates: rake out dead lower blades by hand and trim untidy tips with shears — leave the living green growth intact. In colder zones where top growth dies: cut to 4–6 inches above the crown in late February. Remove spent flower stems at the base.