How to Trim Pampas Grass (Videos included)

Pampas Grass in the Summer

After an extremely cold winter, our Pampas grasses looked shaggy and beaten-up. Since we have about 30 of these plants, I began to search for an easy way to trim off dead leaves. Pampas leaves are sharp enough to cut skin so long sleeves and gloves are a necessity. I was interested in minimizing handling to reduce injury and save time.

A few weeks ago, I asked for suggestions on trimming Pampas Grass in the Master Gardeners LinkedIn group. The response was wonderful with a wide range of helpful suggestions.

I took the ideas and modified them to our equipment and temperament. Equipment: A neighbor had just gifted me an electric hedge trimmer. Temperament: I'm basically impatient (too much yard, too little time) and have 30 of these plants.

Pampas Grass Before Method 1

Method 1- Secure with Bungee Cord and Cut with Electric Hedge Trimmer

This method used a bungee cord to hold the leaves together at the base. An electric trimmer was used to cut below the bungee cord. It helps to have one person cutting, and another person pulling the cut stalks away from the trimmer. See video here.

Pampas Grass After Method 1

Pampas Grass Regrowth After Method 1

Pampas Grass Before Method 2

Method 2- Twist Sections and Cut with Electric Hedge Trimmer

We gathered large sections of Pampas leaves, twisted them, and cut below the twist. The twist held the cut leaves together long enough load them in a wheelbarrow. See video here.

Pampas Grass After Method 2

Pampas Grass Regrowth After Method 2

Pampas Grass Before Method 3

Method 3- Burn Dead Vegetation

We've always wanted to try the burn method. The dry leaves are caught fire and allowed to burn down to a stump. This method is the quickest since there are no cut leaves to rake up. The danger of lighting fires cannot be overstated. 

For us, it was an ideal situation to try this method. The ground was wet from a very rainy period. There was no wind. No fire bans were in effect. These Pampas Grasses were a couple of hundred feet from any structures.  See video here.

Pampas Grass Regrowth after Burning

Pampas Grass After Method 3

Pampas Grass Before Method 4

 

Method 4 - Hand Trim with Hedge Shears

In this last method, I chose a small Pampas bush to demonstrate solo trimming. Working alone, I tied the base of the grass with a bungee cord. Using hedge shears I cut below the cord until the top grass was separated from the base. I was pleased that the bungee cord held the loose cut grass together and made disposal easy. See video here.

Pampas Grass After Method 4

This summer I'll take pictures and post them below each method. We can see which trimming technique has the best results.

5/18/2015 Regrowth photos have been posted. All methods supported regrowth. The plant used for Method 2 was more exposed to winter elements than the others, and had a lot of dead vegetation. We had given it up for dead when a few sprigs appeared! Except for the burn method, there's a lot of clean up of dead vegetation required. All in all I'm very happy with the appearance of my trimmed Pampas Grass. Thanks for all the great suggestions!

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