Managing Brown Miscanthus Grass in Winter

The tall, feathery grass by your steps is likely miscanthus, commonly called maiden grass. While it provides lovely winter interest in open landscapes, it can look untidy near an entryway. Since ornamental grasses transplant poorly in winter, you're stuck with its current location for now.

You have a few options: embrace the seasonal look, spray-paint the plumes red for festive flair, or cut the clump back to the ground anytime between now and late February. For a long-term fix, plan to dig and relocate the grass to a more suitable spot in late March.