What stage of growth should my pampas grass be after 3yrs

Question

I planted the 2 one pink,one blue in a very large pot with holes drilled down the back & compost & some gravel plus also black weed cloth on top,yet 3yrs on it’s STILL only the size of an indoor fern shape,none of the uprights I’ve seen everywhere else,I’m NOT a gardener but all other plants,bushes,a couple of lemon conifers & big cherry blossom all grow fine,in my south facing front garden,approx 250ft from a bay at the end of a 1 mile sea inlet shoreline.thanks for any help

Answer 1

The container should be at leasts 18 inches in diameter. Use a soil that is a 50/50 mix of compost and potting soil.
nspect your switchgrass plants periodically during watering time to look for troubled areas. Remove any broken, dying or otherwise damaged blades or stalks throughout the growing season as you spy them. Place the cut at the base of the blade or stalk just above the crown of the clump and pull the cutting clean from the canopy.

Shear down the dead top foliage in winter after the first hard frost or leave the drying grass in pace to provide visual interest in the garden during winter. Cut back all of the dead grass in the early spring down to the crown to make way for fresh green growth. Discard or compost the cuttings.

Prune lightly to tidy the switchgrass that successfully overwinters in warmer climates. Remove only the damaged or unattractive individual blades by cutting them off at the crown and pulling them out. Cut back any blades that are lying on the ground from weather damage or have been trampled, in order to preserve the natural fountain form.

Water once a week if the container does not receive rain.

Review this planting information and determine if corrections should be made.