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Perennial
Grasses for Your Garden
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Grasses have always been a part of the
natural landscapes of the earth. Because
of their versatility, they are being used
more and more frequently in the home garden.
They can be used as fillers or specimens,
border or background plantings, as ground
covers or screens, or they may be grown
as container plants. Their adaptability
and beauty make them perfect companions
to flowering plants and woody ornamentals.
To fully appreciate the beauty, diversity
and usefulness of ornamental grasses, they
should be viewed in a garden setting. It
is impossible to appreciate all of the attributes
of these plants when they are sitting with
a dozen others, on a bench at the nursery.
Ornamental grasses are available in a wide
array of colors, shapes, textures and sizes.
The flowers and subsequent seed heads are
equally diverse, ranging from "ho-hum"
to truly spectacular. Each grass species
has it's own unique form.
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They may form low compact mounds, tall
screens, or densely spreading mats. The
foliage colors include various shades of
green, blue and red, as well as variegated
varieties having red, white or yellow foliage
banded with ivory or yellow stripes. In
the fall, the spring and summer colors change
to hues of red, beige, or brown, providing
a great winter garden accent.
The flower spikes (also known as an inflorescence)
are excellent for drying. The colors are
different shades of maroon, red, pink, silver,
white, yellow, or beige. With ornamental
grasses, looks aren't everything. They add
a dimension of motion and of sound to your
landscape. The gentle waving motion of the
grasses, and the accompanying sounds create
a very peaceful atmosphere within your garden.
The grass's animated movements will change
with the seasons (dry and living grasses
appear and sound quite different).
Once established, ornamental grasses require
very little care. These durable, low maintenance
plants will not only add distinction to
your landscape during the summer months,
but they will be quite dramatic in the winter
landscape as well.
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Some of our Favorite Grasses:
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Lemon
Grass
Elegant, grass-like blades have an exquisite
lemony scent you'll love. The lemon-flavored
leaves (rarely found at the market) are
a delightful addition to fish, teas and
Asian dishes. Grows 3' tall and 1' across-ideal
for a patio pot! Move Lemon Grass indoors
for winter.
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Northern
Lights Grass
A delightful and unique ornamental Northern
Lights Grass--each narrow blade is variegated
with gold. In spring, new leaves are tipped
in pink then fade to creamy white. Graceful
plants 12" high and 12-15" wide
are perfect for smaller landscape areas or
containers. Also lovely when planted in groups
of three or more.
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Perenial
Fountain Grass
This Perennial Fountain Grass grows quickly
to its full height of 2-3' with a 2-3' spread.
Fine-textured foliage and greenish-white flower
spikes that appear in mid to late summer mature
to reddish and golden brown hues in the fall.
Adds beauty to the late-season landscape!
Drought tolerant.
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Powder
Blue Festuca
Striking ornamental forms grassy, tuft-like
clumps 8" across, 8-12" high. Powder
Blue Festuca's foliage accents paths, rock
gardens, beds. Powder Blue Festuca Grass needs
watering only during drought. Attractive white
plumes appear n midsummer. Hardy plants multiply
rapidly. Plant 8" apart.
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Shopping for Grasses Advice:
While shopping for grasses, remember that what
they look like in their containers isn't necessarily
what they'll look like in the ground. Although
grasses can look unattractive in their nursery
containers, they will look great once planted
in the ground and allowed to grow. They'll add
texture and color throughout the winter, and when
they grow to their full height, they'll add plenty
of movement to the garden.
A Quick Fact About Grass:
Grass generally describes a monocotyledonous
green plant characterized by slender leaves, called
blades, which usually grow arching upwards from
the ground. Plants that are botanically regarded
as "true" grasses fall into the flowering
plant family, Poaceae. However, there are other
plants outside this plant family that have similar
appearance, and are commonly referred to as grasses,
or have "grass" as part of their name.
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Home
Complete
Index of Ornamental Grasses
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