To give them adequate time to establish good root systems before winter, the best time to plant ornamental grasses is in the spring or early fall. However, these more aggressive running grasses do have a place in certain gardens as they're useful for filling in large areas and can help reduce soil erosion on slopes. Pay attention to spreading grasses, such as some Cortaderia (aka pampas) grasses, that can rapidly become invasive and overtake other plantings. Clumping grasses increase in size slowly over time and won't become invasive.
Many gardeners select clump-forming varieties that grow in neat mounds as they mix well with many other plants. Select grasses whose growth habits work well with your garden's design and will also make good companions for other plants. Plant cool season grasses in front of warm season types so when the early ones go dormant, the later grasses will display graceful movement as they rustle in the breeze.Ĭlassified according to their growth habits, ornamental grasses can be either clump-forming, like ' Blue Fescue,' or spreading - often called "running" grass. Combine both cool and warm season types for a pageant of grasses that provide visual interest for about six months. Warm season grasses begin blooming in mid to late spring or early summer, showing major growth and flowering in hot weather, then generally becoming dormant in shades of buff and brown in winter.Īs colorful summer blooms begin to fade, ornamental grasses take center stage, providing a dramatic show of color and texture throughout fall and winter. They're generally colorful throughout the summer, but hot temperatures will slow their growth. Choose grasses appropriate for your hardiness zone, but also consider when you'd like them to bloom.Ĭool Season and Warm Season Ornamental GrassesĬool season grasses bloom in spring before temperatures rise above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and also in cooler fall temperatures. Grasses are relatively pest and disease resistant and great for the ecosystem as they attract important pollinators to the garden.Īlthough some are annuals, most ornamental grasses are perennials that last two or more years.
Most flourish in moderately fertile soil, and many are drought tolerant. Quick-growing and low-maintenance ornamental grasses are a great choice for busy gardeners as they need less attention than other plants. Gardeners planting ornamental grasses select them for their variety of heights, shapes and colors that add beautiful texture, depth and motion to the landscape throughout the seasons.
0 kommentar(er)
