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paulav468

newbie question about Pampas Grass

paulav468
10 years ago

I have several 5 year old Pampas Grass' in my back yard that do very well all year round. BUT for some reason the plumes are getting browner and browner every year! They started off white the first year then die back and each year then on, get darker and darker! They are definitely not dead! Does anyone know why this is? I live in NW Florida on the panhandle. Just a curious question really!
Thanks

Comments (2)

  • donn_
    10 years ago

    Do you ever cut the plants back?

  • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    10 years ago

    Do you mean the existing plumes get darker and darker each year or that the new plumes produced each season are a darker color than the year before.?

    Old plumes will age darker if left on the plant. With weather and wind, they only keep their appearance for a season or so. Generally it is recommended that they be cut off annually so that new, fresh plumes can take their place. Think of them like the grass's 'flowers' -- once the seeds have ripened and disbursed, the 'flowers' have achieved their purpose and there is no need for them to remain. Just like you wouldn't leave an old rose flower on for multiple seasons, you don't really want to leave an OG plume on indefinitely either.

    I have never heard of new plumes gradually becoming darker year after year - this is not the way OG's typically react. In much the same sort of analogy as above, it would be highly unusual for a flower to change color from one season to the next. Ditto the seedhead/plumes of ornamental grasses. These are kind of their defining feature!