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Ornamental grasses are a dramatic addition to any landscape. They are a low maintenance and virtually pest free plant that are suitable to a wide range of growing conditions. There is a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes to enhance any garden. Also, many of the grass inflorescences can be harvested for dried arrangements and the leaves used as a winter mulch in the perennial garden.

In selecting ornamental grasses, remember to match the growing needs and characteristics of a grass with the site. Some grasses are clump forming and others will border on invasive. Some are large and some are petite. Some like wet conditions others are happy in dry gravel. Most of the grasses currently available need full sun conditions in order to grow upright and vigorously.

Smaller grasses like Blue Fescue, Japanese Blood, Quaking and Black Mondo Grasses add color and dimension to rock gardens and other closely viewed areas where they will not get lost. Large grasses can provide a screen through the summer months and provide haunting accents in the winter. Combining grasses with boulders and meadow flowers (daisy, joe-pye weed, black-eyed susan, goldenrod.) against a backdrop of evergreens is not only beautiful but also a haven for wildlife.

The planting of grasses is typical to most plants. Use organic matter and water in well. Surround the plant with a ring of soil to fill with water for irrigation. Mulching will conserve moisture, keep down weeds and enrich the soil. Grasses can be cut back in winter or early spring, though allowing grasses to pass through winter with some stubble provides it's own winter protection. An easy method of cutting back grasses is to tie the clump together then cut back using a "weed wacker" (with a blade) or hedge shears. In the spring a pitch fork will lift any leaves trapped in the stubble with ease. The stubble can then be burnt to the ground. CAUTION: Keep a garden hose handy and burn only when conditions are favorable -Not droughty!!. Burning will enrich the soil and feed the grass while eliminating stubble and weeds.

A good time to split grasses is in the spring. Use a SHARP shovel or ax to divide clumps. It is actually easier to divide large clumps while still in the ground. Cut into sections, discarding the center, then lift and replant vigorous outer sections. Grasses that are not clump forming can easily be multiplied by removing outside shoots and transplanting to new areas. Spreading types can be planted in bottomless containers set in the ground to contain rampant growth.

Almost any landscape will benefit from the addition of ornamental grasses. Plant some some of these dramatic plants in your landscape and enjoy a new element in gardening.

Some Grasses For Specific Conditions

Color

Carex sp.
Festuca glauca - Blue Fescue
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' - Blood grass
Elymus arenarius - Blue Lyme Grass (Spreading)
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass
Miscanthus s. 'Variegatus', Zebrinus', 'Strictus', 'Morning Lights'
Molina caerulea 'Variegata' - Variegated Moor Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebony Knight' - Black Mondo Grass (Spreading)
Phlaris arundinacea - Ribbon Grass (Spreading)
Spartina pectinata aureo-marginata - Prarie Cord Grass (Spreading)

Flowers

Arundo donax - Giant Reed
Briza media - Quaking Grass
Calamagrostis sp. - Feather Reed Grass
Miscanthus s. - Silver, Zebra, Pocupine, Red-Leaved (Spreading), Maiden..
Molina caerulea 'Sky Racer' - Tall Moor Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass
 

Conditions

DRY

Elymus arenarius - Blue Lyme Grass (Spreading)
Festuca glauca - Blue Fescue
Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass
Micanthus s. 'Gracillimus' - Maiden Grass
Panicum virgatum - Switch Grass
Phlaris arundinacea - Ribbon Grass (Spreading)

WET

Acorus - Sweet Flag (not a true grass)
Arundo donax - Giant Reed
Briza media - Quaking Grass
Carex sp. - Sedge
Glyceria maxima - Manna Grass (Spreading)
Molina caerulea - Moor Grass
Phlaris arundinacea - Ribbon Grass (Spreading)
Spartina pectinata aureo-marginata - Prarie Cord Grass (Spreading)

SHADE

Carex sp. - Sedge
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Panicum virgatum - Switch Grass

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