A gardener's question: "My blue fescues look ugly—how do I prune them?"
In my years cultivating ornamental grasses, I've seen this often. For blue fescue, cut back severely close to the ground to remove dead strands. This lets the plant breathe and sprout fresh growth. After a few years, a dry center signals it's time to divide.
Dig out the root ball, slice into sections using a spade or sharp knife like an Opinel, and replant after enriching the soil. Blue fescue thrives in dry, stony spots—ideal for rock gardens paired with white or pink hardy geraniums.
The grass below (name uncertain) needs the same late-winter hard prune for rejuvenation.
Ornamental grass example
