Question: In the gardening calendar, you mentioned pruning ornamental grasses. Is pampas grass an ornamental, and if so, how much should I prune? Mine would still look nice if they were not pruned.… ...

Q. Information on pampas grass would be helpful, including the appropriate time to trim back the plume stalks. I have a new plant about two years old. How old must it be to produce plumes?

A: This is a common problem with pampas grass. It is almost unavoidable, but proper pruning can help you deter it. You should cut a clump of pampas grass back to 12 inches tall in January or February.

A: Pampas grass is a clumping ornamental grass frequently grown for its ornamental seed heads that grow in plumes. There are several varieties, which come in different sizes and even color variations.

Prune pampas grass annually or every two to four years to remove unsightly foliage. It’ll grow back. Pruning is best done in late winter, before the new growing season. February is great.

A: Yes, pampas grass is a warm season grass that can handle pruning now. However, I do not recommend burning the plant. Many burn the dead flower stalks to eliminate the unsightly residue.

Gardeners are in a pruning state of mind, so today I answer questions some readers sent after my pruning column a couple Sundays ago. Q: I have three pampas grass plants that stand about 5 feet and… ...

Q The plume of my Pampas grass plant was broken off by a grandchild. Will the plant produce another, and if so, how can I assist that regeneration?

The appearance of pampas grass on Reddit prompted a debate about the plant's association with swinging in the UK - though some have dismissed the theory as an 'urban myth' ...