There are actually lots of ornamental grasses which require more maintenance than the annual haircut.

The first group that comes to mind is the heavy self-seeders. Things like Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry,' Muhlenbergia capillaris, Eragrostis spectabilis, Chasmanthium latifolium, Luzula nivea and Setaria faberi. These all present the gardener with 2 clear choices. Either deadhead before the seeds ripen, or face a long and tedious bout of scratching out their children. In warmer climates than mine, there are far more of these, including species Miscanthus, Panicum, Cortaderia and more.

Another group which comes to mind would be low-growing groundcover type ornamental grasses, like Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media and Sesleria caerulea. These need regular weeding, because all sorts of weed seeds will germinate under them and grow up through them. My most problem weed in these grasses is Wood Sorrel. I'll bet I pull and compost 3 cubic yards of this critter every year, and a large portion of it grows in and amongst ornamental grasses. It even afflicts larger grasses. Mulch and deep shade? Pshaw! It thrives. I've pulled foot-high plants out of the middle of Miscanthus clumps.

Then, of course, there is the category of weather inflicted injury of ornamental grasses. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. A high-wind frog-strangler can really lay an ornamental grass low, no matter how erect it's habit. I'm in a humid coastal climate, with constant wind and frequent heavy t-storms. This means anything over 1 foot tall is apt to be affected, grasses and other ornamentals. I had a wind-pruned deadhead taken out of a Locust tree and deposited on a large mature clump of Chasmanthium the other day. I had to trim out the broken bits, and tie the rest of it up.

Yes, fortunately, ornamental grasses are not as maintenance free as some would claim. Fortunately, because it causes us to get up close and personal with our grasses more than once a year, which can do nothing but benefit both us and our grasses.

Now the issue that comes to my mind is the zone(s) in which all these high maintenance practices become part of the care and feeding of ornamental grasses.

As you have stated in your BIO you are in Z7 therefore you might have a longer growing season and / or a more moderate winter thus causing many of the issues you posted.

True I do not have all the grasses that you listed in your response however in my Z4b-5 gardens and the grasses that I might have from your list do not seem to be of the high maintenance caliber as you stated.

Life in the grass lane. Thanks donn for your reply and the information that has made me a wiser and more knowledgeable grass lover.

There never seems to be a post or response contributed by you that doesnÂt enlighten my mind.

Jake