How do I tidy up my pampas grass?

Question

I have a really big pampas grass bush in my front garden, it must be around 6.5 foot high and 5 foot diameter.

The problem is that it always looks really untidy with dead leaves sticking out all round it. I usually pull them all off once or twice a year but it's very time consuming. Anyway, one of my neighbours keep telling me that you're supposed to set fire to them at a certain time of year... that can't be right can it? And if so, what is the best time of year? (I'm in the UK)

Answer 1

I just use a pair of hedge shears and trim mine to my liking several times a rear....does not hurt them a bit and they grow back nicely...be sure to use gloves,,they can hurt ya. I would check into burning before I did it...some say it can kill the plant.

Answer 2

I dunno about setting fire to it but hack the whole thing down at the end of the season one year, chop around the edges to make it a size to suit and then ignore it for a bit.

It'll look c**p over winter but at the end of the day it's a grass so next growing season it'll look fab again.

Answer 3

You can do it any time of year.Have some water handy just in case as they can go up pretty quickly.Rolled up newspaper,light it and stand well back.If you don't fancy that then have at it with a hedge trimmer,lop the whole lot off leaving the stump and it soon recovers.

Answer 4

Yes burn it now but make sure it is out before you leave  it as they can flare up again