Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses come in every size from a 15 cm fescue to a 2.5 m Miscanthus.

• Colour varies from the intense blue of lyme grass and blue oat grass to the striking red of Japanese blood grass.
• Soft, arching form is represented by fountain grass while feather reed grass is upright and cylindrical.
• Some grasses are shade-tolerant like the Golden Variegated Japanese forest grass, while others can endure wet soil, such as ribbon grass.
• Ornamental grasses are valuable components in a garden where you need winter interest. Grasses shouldn’t be trimmed back until spring to promote new growth; their dried, tanned foliage and waving seed heads add a graceful, structural element to winter landscapes.
• Annual grasses such as purple fountain grass or black stocking grass have deep purple/black foliage that creates a statement in containers.

Grasses should be trimmed back (near the base) in April to promote new growth. Based on their growth style, grasses fall into two primary groups:

Cool season grasses – These grasses achieve their full size before the heat of summer hits. They are usually low to medium-sized plants and can sometimes brown out in hot weather. If this occurs, trim them back in July to encourage lush new growth for fall.

Warm season grasses – These grasses are spectacular for the late summer and fall garden with their distinctive clusters of tiny flowers called ‘florescence’ that wave softly at the end of long stems. They flourish in warm temperatures and generally like lots of light.

Remember to read the plant tag carefully for information such as mature size, zone hardiness, light preferences, etc. for any given plant.

• Ornamental grasses can be used individually or massed in groups of odd numbers.
• They can be incorporated into any mixed or perennial border, where they provide delightful contrast.
• They combine elegantly with evergreens because their textures are so diverse.
• Smaller varieties can also be used as a groundcover, edging plant, or even in a container.
• Taller grasses can be planted at the back of a border as a soft backdrop to anything grown in front, or as a privacy screen.