Pruning guide
How to prune feather grass
More feather grass care
Pruning feather grass — FAQ
When should I prune feather grass?
Late winter (February–March) for the main cut-back; deadhead or remove spent plumes in midsummer. Shear the clump to 3–4 inches in late winter. Individually remove or shear off the long feathery seed heads once they start to look ragged, as these can self-seed freely.
How often does feather grass need pruning?
Annually, with optional deadheading in summer. Feather grass (Stipa barbata) is a cool-season grass valued for its silky, long-awned plumes in late spring and early summer. Remove spent flower stems after they turn straw-coloured. Cut the entire clump back to a few inches in late winter to clear dead foliage and encourage a fresh flush of growth.
How do you prune feather grass?
Shear the clump to 3–4 inches in late winter. Individually remove or shear off the long feathery seed heads once they start to look ragged, as these can self-seed freely.