Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). Leaves damaged by cold, common here. You can shear it back when new leaves start growing vigorously (perhaps now) or just let these grow out and obscure the old, burnt ones during the coming season.

If shearing beware of sawtooth leaf edges, these can cut like razors. As the plant grows larger (it will get much bigger than it is now) this may become a problem when walking past.

Thanks! We weren't living here when it bloomed, so that will be interesting. And we looked up photos of Pampas grass. You weren't kidding about the size! Out of curiosity, what made you think it was that and not bear grass? They both do have those nasty edges. We looked as well as we could to see if there was new growth and couldn't find any, so we'll wait on the shearing.

Bear grass (Xerophyllum) is a lily with different leaves that I haven't noticed having cutting edges, in fact it was used as a basket-making material. The plant is much smaller, the leaves not growing so long and arching. There is a depression in the center of the rosette, that you can look down into, same as with a bromeliad.

We bought some Alpine Firs at our local Native Nursery and one came with a huge clump of Bear Grass. Can we divide it? Will it flower?
I have never heard of Bear Grass before. How big will it get? The lady at the nursery said it was a great bonus. Small clumps of the Bear Grass were $25.00.

Bear Grass is a native of the higher altitudes. I had 3 that we transplanted from a clearcut years ago. I tried moving one and it died. I don't know if it was just moving or something else I did wrong. My plants get to be about 2'x2' of grass. The blossom stalk is another 12-18" above the basal grass. I could sure use more information on the growing of Bear Grass too. In the mean time I'll just keep experimenting.

Not limited to high altitudes, also occurs in Kitsap County for instance. Native plant garden in Point Defiance Park had some for years, maybe the clumps are still there. Multiple books in stores and libraries about gardening with native plants will talk about growing it, probably there are web sites that discuss this also - there has been a vogue for planting native plants for some years now.

bboy is right, the grass pictured is pampas grass not bear grass.

Yes, definitely pampas grass and not bear grass. Bear grass doesn't get anywhere near that big.

No, not restricted to higher elevations, but I have never seen it right at sea level either. Likes very well-drained soil but not truly dry soil. They don't flower every year as I understand it, kinda like a bamboo or an agave, they live for years without blooming and then all the bear grass in one location will bloom at once.

Deer love bear grass. The ones I see in the wild are always nipped by deer.