Ornamental Grasses

by Turian Gardener

In the books, colored grasses were found in some pleasure gardens. Here on Earth, there is no reason why colored and other ornamental grasses cannot be found in your garden as well.

Ornamental grasses are the prefect backdrop or fill-in for border flower gardens or as outstanding decorative landscaping highlights. They enrich the visual impact of the garden with their color, variety and motion. The height of ornamental grasses varies from tufted clumps to tall waving feathery plumes. Ornamental grasses range in color too, from cool silvery shimmering hues to vibrant reds and violets. Many grasses are variegated and have tonal variations within the variety. Additionally, grasses bring the outside indoors when harvested and dried for use in arrangements in the home and on the patio. They are drought resistant, so they find ready inclusion in the increasingly-popular xeriscape designs. Horticulturists favor native additions. In the high arid climates of the plains of the eastern Rockies, gardeners are working with red and blue fescue, blue gamma, little bluestem, buffalo grass, prairie dropseed, Indian grass and South American pampas grass, to name but a few varieties.

Many nurseries and home centers carry a variety of potted grasses or seed packets for ornamental grasses. Many nurseries offer online descriptions of various grasses and accomodate direct ordering. Since grasses are aggressive in the garden, it is incumbent on the gardener to do a little research before purchasing to make sure that the selection does not overwhelm the garden. Many grasses can take over a space in the garden intended for another use, but it is exactly this feature than endears them to a gardener who wants substantially hardy perennials they can rely on for color and eye appeal.

Grasses planted near water displays can cast beautiful reflections on the water. Planted near walls, fences, and rock gardens, they add interest and attention to the garden. Grasses can provide transitional features in landscaping where the garden is designed from a low, groundcover type layout to higher bushes and shrubs. Interim grass plantings draw the eye up from the ground to the higher plantings and can complement the color or contrast with the colors of the landscape background.

The incorporation of hybrid grasses and local native grasses gives the gardener an extra edge in designing the landscape plan because these additions are climate-adapted and may also provide cover and feed for birds or small animals in the garden environment.

Soil requirements should be described on the planting containers or seed packages, but as a general rule, loose soil that has been dressed with compost and is well drained in a sunny location will best suit grass planting. Grasses still need water even though they are, in many cases, drought tolerant. Some can be mowed and most can be trimmed down in the early spring to ready them for new growth. Some native grasses provide a sweet smell when they bloom in the summer. Many hardy grasses can be propagated outside of the garden in cold frames or in windowsill gardens in early spring. Grasses change color with the seasons and can be a striking ornament on a winter morning as frosty seed heads sparkle in the sun.

I wish you well,

Turian Gardener

Turian Gardener is a first-time contributor. May she always have water.