Rediscover the Beauty of Ornamental Grasses
I’ve been designing with ornamental grasses for decades, and I consider them an indispensable staple not only in my own garden but in those I design. However, when meeting with new clients, I’m always amazed at how often I hear something along the lines of, “I really like grasses, but I’m not sure how to use them in the garden.”
I wonder if part of the resistance is because there are so many varieties on the market now that choosing the right grass is a bit overwhelming. Or perhaps some gardeners are reluctant to use grasses as several can be problematic with their rampant re-seeding. In my zone 9 climate, two often-used but incredibly invasive culprits are the Mexican Feather Grass and Northern Sea Oats.
At this point, I begin to explain the ways grasses can be used in their garden and why they’re missing out on an amazing group of plants. For example, most of the grasses I use are drought-tolerant and thrive in our hot and dry environment. And when I mention that most grasses are deer and rabbit-resistant, those who are reluctant usually jump on board. In fact, deer never touch any of the grasses in my garden. I’ve been trying to think if I’ve ever had a grass mowed down by a deer or rabbit, and I can’t think of a single instance.
Appreciating the qualities of grasses is one thing, but understanding how to design with them for maximum impact is another. So, in this post, I’ll share with you my favorite grasses that have done really well for me over the years and how to use them in the garden. For clarity’s sake, I’ll be discussing grasses and grass-like plants.
Small-Scale Grasses: Filling in the Gaps
I’ve always liked this well-known saying that helps sum up the differences between sedges, rushes, and grasses: “Sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses have knees that bend to the ground.” So, let’s proceed.
These are the grasses that grow between 6-12 inches tall. They’re ideal for tucking along the base of taller plants, nestled next to a rock or container, or even filling in between stepping stones. I love gardening with unusual colors, which is why the black foliage of the mondo grass is welcome in my garden any time. To prevent the color from getting lost, I make sure to place it near gray-blue or lighter green foliage. For an even smaller mondo grass, try Nana, which grows to just 2-3 feet tall, making it perfect for filling in between paving stones.
The cinnamon-brown color of the Carex sedge is one that I love to use in creative color combinations. Brown is a tricky color in the garden as it can easily fade into the background, especially when surrounded by mulch or if it’s in a shady area. The trick is to place brown colors (black plants too, for that matter) near brighter greens to help the color pop. Or, in the case of my front entryway garden, it’s the vibrant fall foliage of the Amsonia that harmonizes with the brown Carex.
Another favorite of mine is the Everillo Carex, a chartreuse variety that doesn’t fade to dull green as fast as most. I like to use it in shadier parts of the garden, as the foliage brightens up the space, acting as the missing sunshine. Carex grasses tend to appreciate consistent watering, some more so than others, but once established, Everillo does fine with moderate watering.
Mid-Sized Grasses: The Garden’s Heart
These are the grasses that grow between 2 to 4-feet tall. They form the all-important middle section of the garden, adding fullness between other plantings or standing alone as a focal point.
Nothing adds more excitement to my fall garden than the flowers of the Blue Grama Grass. This 3×3 beauty is a must-have for a drought-tolerant garden. The delicate “eyelashes” or “mustaches,” as my daughter says, wave in the wind on long, thin stems. In spring through summer, the grass is a blue-green color, slowly turning tan or blonde as fall approaches. It’s stunning, literally glowing across the garden when backlit by the afternoon sun.
Another very drought-tolerant variety is the Hameln Fountain Grass. When in bloom, the blooms help it reach 3×3 in size, and the red tones hold steady throughout the spring, summer, and fall. To show off its gorgeous color, I like to surround it with green and gray foliage.
The Pennisetum Fireworks is the showiest fountain grass of all, with the maroon color holding steady throughout the season. I came upon this slope of white Muhlenbergia grasses and was absolutely mesmerized by the soft, white inflorescence of the grasses. I can’t imagine designing a garden without using Lomandras. I use just about every variety I can find of these bullet-proof, evergreen grasses. Nothing touches them – no deer, rabbits, gophers, or drought. And most importantly, they’re evergreen, so in my gardens, they’re a staple, adding much-needed winter interest.
Towering Beauties: Focal Points and Backbones
These are the biggies that grow upwards of 4-feet, used as stand-alone focal points or the backbone of garden beds. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I’m a sucker for super tall plants. Ever since I first saw the amazing drift of Fairy Tails at Cornerstone Gardens, I knew I had to include this in my garden. It’s a drought-tolerant grass, but if given a bit more water, it gets HUGE – as in 6-7 feet tall.
I can’t write about towering grasses without mentioning Karl Foerster. It provides a tall, vertical accent without the width, making it ideal for tight spaces. Low-water, deer-resistant, and providing a wow-moment in the garden – what’s not to love? Miscanthus comes in just about any size you could desire, from the dwarf Kitten variety that grows to 2×2 to the towering Giganteus that soars to 12 feet or more. This is a stunning, full-bodied grass with wispy foliage and incredibly showy tassels late summer through fall.
In wrapping up, I wanted to share one of my favorite combinations of all from The Garden of Contrast created by the team of Oehme van Sweden. The simplicity of this combination is nothing short of genius – the oversized Agave surrounded by the finely textured, broom-like grasses takes my breath away every time I see it.
So, next time you’re at the nursery, I hope you see ornamental grasses in a whole new light. And if you have any favorites or creative ways to use them in your garden, please share them with us at A1 Landscape Construction. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
