Ornamental grasses-Do you thin them?

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TheBradshawBunch Kaysville, UT(Zone 5b) Mar 30, 2008

When you start ornamental grasses from seed, and you sow a pinch, do you typically thin them out or do you leave them as a clump?
I have two sorts: One is a bunny tail grass (Lagurus ovatis) and the other is a pink champagne grass (rhynchelytrum roseum, typically called ruby grass).

Both are about 2 1/2 inches tall right now.

Thanks in advance,
Susan

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Mar 31, 2008

It normally tells you on the packet if seeds need thinning, but you've set me wondering now, I cant give an answer as when I do ornamental grasses, I buy the plants rather than the seeds, I know after about four years I have to dig them up and divide them as they send up new shoots from the roots every year, hope someone else can come in and help you out, sorry I have not been a help to you in any way, but my gut feeling is to thin them out as they wont really be large garden plant for a few more years till they bulk out like most perennial plants that get new growth each year, but these are lovely grasses anyway. good luck. WeeNel.

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pennefeather McLean, VA(Zone 6b) Mar 31, 2008

I've grown ponytail grass and done it both ways. If you leave them as clumps, I think that you are ahead of the game. I believe that I did thin them when I wanted to have more plants.

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TheBradshawBunch Kaysville, UT(Zone 5b) Mar 31, 2008

Thanks for the info!
You know, it's interesting. The bunny tail grass looks just like regular grass coming up in slender green blades. but the ruby grass is actually coming up more like a rye or something. It has a stem with one leaf off to one side. The bunny tail grass I will probably leave as a clump but this ruby grass has me thinking I might need to thin them. Anyone grown ruby grass before?

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pennefeather McLean, VA(Zone 6b) Apr 01, 2008

Susan, if you don't get an answer here, you can always pose your question on the bamboo and grass forum.

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