We went through a sub-30's freeze a few weeks ago (San Joaquin Valley, CA) and all my purple fountain grass and snail vines froze. I cut them back to ground level. Can I expect them to come back?
They may come back from the roots, especially the grass. I would recommend mulching the roots heavily as most of the country is expecting further freezes. This will give the roots a better chance of surviving these cold spells.
Is there a cold hardiness limit to purple fountain grass? I planted some two years ago and it came back last year, but this year we had a colder than usual winter and I'd like to know now whether it will come back or not so I can plant other things accordingly.
It is hardy to about 20 degrees F., but if the temps there got lower than that, there is a chance the roots survived if the ground did not freeze. I would give it a few weeks to see if the roots start to grow new leaves. If you do not see any growth in a few weeks, it is likely dead.
I live in El Paso, Texas where summers are typically very mild; however, there were two freeze periods this winter and I don't know if my purple fountain grass plants survived. I don't see any new growth, where as by this time last year they were growing well. Is there anything I can do, or is it too late?
It is hardy to about 20 degrees F. But if the temps there got lower than that, there is a chance the roots survived if the ground did not freeze. I would give it a few weeks to see if the roots start to grow new leaves. If you do not see any growth in a few weeks, it is likely dead.
Is purple fountain grass toxic to dogs?
I have two large mounds of purple fountain grass that look like they were 'victims' of the hard freeze we had this year in Texas. They don't look like there's any life left, but I have pruned them down to about 6 inches. Do you think they can recover? What else should I do? Or since they're 'frozen, ' should I just take them out?
It is hardy to about 20 degrees F. But if the temps there got lower than that, there is a chance the roots survived if the ground did not freeze. I would give it a few weeks to see if the roots start to grow new leaves. If you do not see any growth in a few weeks, it is likely dead and will need to be removed.
I live in Zone 5 (Ohio) and have read that purple fountain grass may be overwintered by digging up the crowns before the first frost and taking them inside. Is this successful? How should they be stored through winter, and should they be watered at all?
Not everyone has success with this; however, that doesn't mean you can't. Carefully dig it up and put it in a pot. Bring it in the house, clip the foliage down to about 3 inches from the top of the pot and stick it in a sunny window. Keep it moist, (but not soaking wet). Once the weather warms up enough, start hardening it off and then replant in the garden. It may not look like much for the winter, but when it goes back outside in the spring, it should regain its attractive appearance.
I live in the foothills of the Ozark Mts. near Hardy, Arkansas. Is purple fountain grass going to be winter hardy here and return in the spring?
Purple fountain grass is only hardy to about 20F. If temps in your area get colder than that thduring winter, it will die. In most places, it needs additional winter protection to make it through the winter.