When is the best management strategy for pruning established Switchgrass clumps?
Late winter or very early spring, just before new shoots emerge
The recommended best practice for managing established Switchgrass involves strategic timing for cutting back the old growth to maximize both aesthetic appeal and ecological service. Gardeners are advised to wait until the plant has provided its full aesthetic contribution throughout the dormant season, which includes holding its dried structure and seed heads. The ideal window for rejuvenation pruning is late winter or very early spring. Pruning should occur just as new basal growth is about to start. Cutting too early sacrifices winter interest, while waiting too long results in a dense, tangled mass of old material that becomes difficult to maneuver through and prune effectively, impeding the vigor of the forthcoming summer growth.
