Ornamental grasses provide texture, color, and movement in the garden, especially during the dormant season. When the foliage dies back in late fall, it often becomes tangled and messy. Braiding is a common winterizing technique that creates a striking, sculptural element in the landscape while simplifying spring cleanup. This method neatly contains the voluminous dead foliage into a manageable, upright form.
Why and When to Braid Ornamental Grasses
The primary motivation for braiding is controlling the appearance of the spent foliage and preventing the grass from collapsing under the weight of wet snow or ice. When tall, hollow grass stalks are left loose, heavy winter precipitation can flatten the entire clump, resulting in a matted, unsightly mess that can smother the crown. Bundling the grass tightly helps to protect the central growing point, the crown, from excessive moisture and winter damage, especially in areas with freeze-thaw cycles.
Braiding also allows the gardener to retain the winter aesthetic of the grass, which often features straw-colored foliage and attractive seed heads. The optimal time to perform this task is in the late fall or early winter, after the grass blades have turned completely brown and gone dormant following a hard frost. It is important to complete the braiding before the first heavy snowfall, as working with frozen or snow-laden grass is much more difficult and can damage the plant’s structure.
Essential Preparation and Tools
Before beginning the braiding process, gather the necessary materials for safety and efficiency. Sturdy work gloves and long sleeves are recommended because the edges of many ornamental grass blades, particularly those of Miscanthus, contain microscopic silica structures that can easily cause small cuts or skin irritation. A strong, weather-resistant material such as natural jute twine, heavy cotton rope, or zip ties will be needed to secure the braid.
The first step is to gather the entire clump of dried grass stems tightly together at the base, creating a single large bundle. Use a piece of twine or rope to secure the upper third of this bundle firmly, similar to creating a giant ponytail. This initial tie prevents the grass from spreading apart as you begin to work with the lower sections, ensuring a manageable and taut foundation for the actual braiding.
Step-by-Step Braiding Technique
With the main clump secured at the top, the next step is to divide the grass mass below the initial tie into three equal, manageable sections. This technique works best on warm-season grasses that have sufficiently stiff, long stems. The three sections should resemble the strands needed for a standard three-strand braid.
Start the braid by crossing the right-hand section over the middle section, which then becomes the new middle strand. Follow this by crossing the left-hand section over the new middle strand. Continue this alternating pattern—right over middle, left over middle—working your way down the length of the grass stems while maintaining consistent tension. The braid must be tight enough to hold its structural integrity against winter weather but not so taut that it snaps the brittle, dried stalks.
Once the braid reaches a point near the base of the plant, use a durable material to secure the end. A heavy-duty zip tie or a length of twine tied in a strong knot will hold the braid in place throughout the winter. The resulting braid should stand upright, creating a neat, columnar form that resists flopping over and adds an architectural element to the dormant garden.
Post-Winter Care and Spring Cleanup
The braided structure simplifies the final stage of ornamental grass care, which involves removing the old, dead foliage to make way for new growth. This spring cleanup should be timed for late winter or very early spring, ideally just before the first signs of new green shoots emerge from the crown. Cutting the old growth too late risks damaging the tender new blades.
The braided clump is now a single, compact unit that can be removed with a single, clean cut. Using sharp hand pruners, loppers, or hedge shears, cut the entire braid off about 4 to 6 inches above the ground level. This height is sufficient to protect the plant’s crown from injury while ensuring that enough stubble remains to prevent water from collecting and rotting the center of the plant. The removed braid can then be easily carried away and composted as one large, neat bundle.