My Zebra is Dead

Every year I post that statement on Facebook. "My zebra is dead!" Every year someone replies something like "OMG, I'm so sorry!" I always wonder 'what the heck do they think I'm raising out here?' lol 

Zebra grass

Truth is, my Zebra grass lives a long and wonderful life every year. In the early spring it's sadly cut down and the stubs are raked to remove debris. It's lovingly watered and a few weeks later I always get excited when the first green shoots start to emerge. 

Through the growing season it provides shelter from Hawks and a playground for about 30 chickens and guineas. Seniors pose for their portraits in front of it. I hunt for guinea eggs in it. It provides shade from the summer sun and some shelter from the rains. It also hides the access for the backup septic tank. 

I call it the Zebra, but truth is only 1/2 of it is technically Zebra grass. I'm not quite sure what the other 1/2 is.....it might be a Japanese striped ornamental grass. The stripes run lengthwise on those ones. They're different when green, but they turn exactly the same way in fall. They all have these pretty tops.

Wow...my terms are so technical, aren't they? lol I would love to transplant some out to the front driveway. Every year I say that but never get around to it. There are some random plants that have popped up on the edges of the woods that would be easy to move. I just never know when I should do it. 

I guess it's time to brush up on my Zebra grass knowledge and get moving on that. After all, if I can learn how to prune Weeping Cherry trees and grapevines I can certainly learn how to transplant ornamental grass plants. Right?
~L

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