Time to trim the fountain grass

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It's the third week of January here in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and it looks like it's time to trim the fountain grass.

I was out for a short walk this morning, to stretch my sore ankle, and I wandered past a house with some very ratty-looking fountain grass out front. It was brown and shaggy, and just looked more like a clump of weeds than the beautiful fountain grass that I have at The Tropical Paradise.

I was wrong. I went over to The Outback here on the southern edge of The Tropical Paradise and I saw the same thing. A ratty-looking, brown clump. So I guess it was time to give it a haircut. Luckily, it only took a few seconds. I stuffed the clippings into a Hefty bag and will go back and clean up a bit more later.

Fountain grass is a background plant. It needs a lot of space to look its best, and even when it's at its best, it doesn't invite close inspection. If yours is looking ratty, it's time to get the clippers out. Don't worry, it comes back fast!

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