When to Plant Ornamental Grasses in the UK

The best time of year to plant ornamental grasses in the UK is usually March–May or September–October, when soil is warm and moist. Here’s how to choose timing, soil, and position.

Best time to plant grasses

• Spring: ideal for most deciduous grasses and new pampas clumps
• Early autumn: good for evergreen types if winters are mild
• Avoid: waterlogged mid-winter planting and scorching midsummer transplants

Best soil for ornamental grasses

Most ornamental grasses prefer free-draining soil. Best soil for ornamental grasses is loam improved with grit on heavy clay. Avoid rich, soggy ground for Mediterranean types; moisture-lovers such as carex prefer damper spots.

Best place to plant ornamental grasses

Full sun suits pampas, stipa, and miscanthus. Shade-tolerant carex and hakonechloa suit woodland edges. Leave space for mature height (our plant spacing calculator helps) — tall grasses need airflow to prevent flopping.

Aftercare

Water well for the first season. Cut deciduous grasses back in late winter before new shoots emerge (see the pruning calendar). Evergreen grasses need a light comb-through rather than a hard cut.