The feathery plumes of Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), also known as Mexican With Dreads due to its tendency to mat, can become tangled and unruly. This dense matting can cause the plant’s delicate heads to droop and detract from its overall beauty. This post explores a simple yet effective technique for detangling these “dreads” and restoring the grass to its former glory.
alt: Matted seed heads of Mexican Feather Grass resembling dreadlocks.
Initially, attempts to trim the tangled seed heads with shears proved unsuccessful, resulting in an unnatural, chopped appearance.
alt: A still from the movie Edward Scissorhands, referencing an attempt to trim the grass.
alt: Mexican Feather Grass after an unsuccessful attempt to trim the matted seed heads (left), and after successfully removing them by hand (right).
A more effective method was discovered: gently pulling the seed heads by hand. This technique allows for the removal of the matted seeds and a portion of the stalk while maintaining the plant’s natural shape.
alt: A hand holding a clump of removed seed heads from Mexican Feather Grass.
The process involves systematically working around the plant, carefully pulling small clumps of seeds to avoid uprooting the entire grass. A cape or sheet placed around the base of the plant helps collect the falling seeds for easy disposal.
alt: A bucket filled with seed heads removed from Mexican Feather Grass.
This meticulous “hair pulling” yielded a surprising volume of seeds. The rejuvenated Mexican feather grass, free from its tangled dreads, once again stood tall and vibrant. Beyond the grass, observations from the garden included a butterfly drawn to a salty t-shirt after working in the heat.
alt: A butterfly resting on a t-shirt.
Completing brickwork around a garden bench enhanced its visual appeal and created defined planting areas.
alt: A newly constructed brick border around a garden bench.
Finally, a humorous observation: a new cactus paddle growing from a previously “deceased” cactus plant bore a striking resemblance to a face, prompting playful speculation about the cactus’s reanimation.
alt: A new cactus paddle growth resembling a face.
The garden continues to evolve, showcasing the beauty and resilience of nature, from the intricate details of a tiny spider to the vigorous growth of pole beans.
