Some plants in my garden that i need to prune back but not sure how or when to prune them

I have a number of plants like the following in my Garden

What is the name of these plants?

They have got quite large in size and width and are taking over lot of space in the beds and their branches/stalks are crowding over/in on other plants and blocking their light

Can you prune/cut back these plants

If so, how do you prune/cut them back

What time of year do you prune these in

In winter months will they stay like they are now or die off over winter and then bloom again next year ?

Thanks

 

They are grasses of varying types, in spring you will start to see new growth, comb through the old growth with your hands, that will remove most of the dead stems.

 

I agree with Pam , but if you want to give a good haircut wait until it starts into growth early next spring

 

Thanks
So cutting them back now or combing through the old growth with your hands, that will remove most of the dead stems now isn't a good idea?

I was just going to take a pruning shears and just cut it near the base now - I take it that wouldn't be a good idea and I should leave it as it is until the spring

Will this die off over the winter or stay same size and consistency?

Thanks

 

Hi
As Pam said comb through now , but I would suggest put some gloves on and the loose dead stuff will easily come out and make them a lot better looking , grasses like the ones you have can be fussy and cutting hard down now they may die off over the winter the stalks help protect the crown of the plant from frost/snow etc you can also split the plants ONLY in spring if you want to have some more pots or reduce the size of the plant , never do this in the Autumn or winter they will sulk and die 99% of the time .

Spruce