Key Points. There whimisical movement, rich color and unique texture are some of the main highlights of ornamental perennial grasses. Ornamental grasses refers to both true grasses and plants that have a grass-like appearance, such as sedges, that are used for similar purposes in gardens. Once you start landscaping with ornamental grasses you'll be amazed by how many varieties, sizes, shapes, and colors are available. Many ornamental grasses are warm-season plants that require full sun and well-drained soil. Oftentimes ornamental grasses are drought-tolerant, an ideal plant to grow in arid climates. Cool season grasses are popular in the cooler regions, while the warm season grasses are suited for the warm areas. Understand the term “native” versus “ornamental.” Learn which size and type of native and ornamental grass varieties are appropriate for your garden. With so many types to choose from, it’s always handy to have up a good reference book to check, like The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses for Livable Landscapes by Rick Darke – it has some gorgeous photos and great ideas. Ornamental grasses are versatile, hardy and spectacular, bringing movement, texture and drama to gardens of all styles, nearly all year round. We grow many types of ornamental grasses mostly in 1 gallon pots and a limited number in 5 gallons. Adding ornamental grass to your landscape provides beauty, texture, movement, and sometimes even sound. These can be planted in various seasons, won’t get damaged due to pests or diseases, are resistant to deer, come in different shapes and sizes, and … Ornamental grass is a type of grass which is grown for its showy foliage. Classifications. There are grasses for damp or dry soil, shady as well as sunny situations. Annual Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) Purple Moor Grass (Molinia litorialis) Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) << Back | Next >> Urban Programs Resource Network. Saccharum ravennae ‘Erianthus’ grows to about 5-8 feet and then sends up airy, white plumes that can reach up to 10 feet tall. Ornamental grasses can be used to great effect in our gardens, from providing a calming presence to more exuberant flowering plants to being the only focus of the design. The most popular ornamental grass, feather reed grass offers a distinct upright habit that looks fantastic all winter long. This type of grass features thick, reed-like blades that can grow to considerable height. Hardy Pampas Grass is a winter-hardy variety of Pampas Grass. Types of Grasses. As perennials, the grasses should come back, year after year, but their performance and longevity are primarily based on the foundation of the landscape design. Ornamental grass makes a big impact in the garden, with many varieties hardy and easy to grow, providing year-round interest. All grass-like plants are included in the term ornamental grasses. Ornamental Grasses Plants Low Maintenance Gardening Trying to find ornamental grasses for the garden was a real challenge 25 years ago. Extremely eye-catching, it features magnificent, dense tussocks of arching, narrow green leaves with margins like razors, that are gracefully topped from late summer to midwinter by huge, silky, silvery white, cream or dusty pink plumes. There are also varieties, like fountain grass, that can be invasive in some regions—meaning they have the potential to escape the garden and overtake native plants—so be sure to check invasive species lists for your area before purchasing and planting ornamental grasses. Native to South America, Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) is considered one of the most spectacular ornamental grasses. A type of maiden grass, gold breeze miscanthus is one of the most popular types of ornamental grasses. Hardy Pampas Grass. These plants will provide years of pleasure in your garden. Ornamental pink muhly grass (left) with switchgrass in the background. Types of Ornamental Grasses; Credits; Fabulous Foliage; Stepping Stones to Perennial Garden Design; Hort Answers; Wildflowers; Types of Ornamental Grasses. Ornamental grasses are now making a popular comeback in landscapes. Mixing together different types of ornamental grasses always creates a visually terrific contrast in the landscape. Along with true grasses (Poaceae), several other families of grass-like plants are typically marketed as ornamental grasses. Despite the name ornamental grasses, not all cultivators offer long, narrow, green blades of grass. Hort Some ornamental grasses, like pampas grass, grow to be huge. Name: Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. WDG Types of Ornamental Grasses DesigningWithGrasses. This ornamental grass is ideal in locations where taller or fuller ornamental grass would be inappropriate, and it does very well when potted. Just watching a clump of feather reed grasses swaying beautifully in the afternoon breeze is enough to bring about a sense of inner peace. There are several types of grasses and perennial plants to choose from when it comes to shade preferences. Ornamental grasses are a wonderful and simple addition to the landscape. Many ornamental grass varieties have low maintenance, are fairly water-wise and are not prone to pest or disease problems. Types of Ornamental Grasses. Ornamental grass, also called garden grass, is a decorative type of grass used in many creative landscapes and gardens. Types of Ornamental Grasses Fountaingrass. 15:37. They have silky flowers that are great for the cooler and windier months. Ornamental grasses can add a bit of vertical presence to your garden, and they tend to be hardy enough to outlast most weather conditions. Fountaingrass is known for its fuzzy seed heads. Depending on the variety, this gorgeous grass comes in white, green, and sometimes even pink or red plumes. The plant does best in full sun and moist but well-drained soils. The only problem is that many types of ornamental grasses are too large for small to midsize yards. Ornamental grasses can be grown in a variety of climates, from tropical regions to arid deserts, and they can serve a variety of functions in a landscaping schemes. It looks great outdoors and can also be used for interior decorating. Perennial fountain grass is one of the fastest types of ornamental grass, and it reaches a maximum height of approximately 4 feet and a width of about 3 feet. Size: To … One of the most popular ornamental grasses, superb as … Festuca glauca is also known as blue fescue, is a species of flowering plant in the grass … Types of Ornamental grasses to grow in your garden. They're hardy plants that add year round interest, especially when natural and artificial lighting highlights their unique texture and color. There is a wide array of foliage choices, ranging from green and blue to a deep red, burgundy, and many other shades in between. You’ll need to cut it back in the early spring to make room for new growth. These include the sedges (Cyperaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), restios (Restionaceae), and cat-tails (Typhaceae). Turfgrass is the most common type of grass… Most ornamental grasses are low-maintenance, versatile, and carefree, transforming your garden into a lush, green carpet. Most change through the seasons, marking the passage of time, while their abundant seed heads are a … Photo: Mikaela Boley. If you are looking for an alternative to turfgrass in your lawn or just want to add accent plants, ornamental grasses are an excellent choice. Here’s a rundown on how to plant and care for these pretty grasses. If you live in zone 7 and are interested in planting ornamental grass plants, you will have a number of types to choose from. This lovely border is a perfect example of that where decorative grasses of differen (Diy Garden Borders) Article by Betty Livingood. West Country Garden Pro 6,948 views. Most ornamental grasses are perennials, living for two or more years. Types of Ornamental Grasses. 3. Some ornamental grasses like Northern Sea Oats, Lily Turf, and Mondo grasses grow in full shade. This article will help get you started with suitable grasses for zone 7. From tall and wispy varieties that sway beautifully in the wind to low-growing grasses perfect for ground cover and rock gardens, there are so many type … Ornamental grasses. Like many grasses, this tough plant tolerates a wide range of conditions. Yes! Planting ornamental grasses requires some care and prep work to see the ideal growth and production rates, regardless of the types of grass used. Many are ideal for gravel gardens, prairie planting, wildlife gardens and are great to add to the cutting garden; others perform well in containers. Ornamental grasses, types of them, in addition to being extremely attractive are also very versatile and effortless to grow. In addition, they soften hard surfaces and add a wealth of textural interest. Others, like blue fescue, stay much shorter. Grown in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and textures, ornamental grasses are showy plants. Loading ... Ornamental Grasses - Winter Pruning & Division - Duration: 15:37. There are countless ornamental grasses to choose from with a near infinite variety in shape, size, flower types and color. The answer? They are all hardy and require little maintenance over the years. A guide on ornamental grasses. Miscanthis sinsensis, or Japanese plume grass is available in over 150 varieties and are unlike the long green stems we usually think of as grass. They can be woven through borders, used as a focal point, scattered through gravel gardens and planted in containers. Grasses can make attractive lawn ornaments and this is the simplest way in which to first use these low-maintenance perennials. A circular bed of generous proportions planted with only one type of ornamental grass will make a splendid showpiece. On top of that, the way they sway in the wind can lend a sense of motion to your landscape. For more information on any of … There are many types of dwarf ornamental grass that fit nicely into a smaller garden, but provide all the benefits of their full-size cousins. Garden Grass (Ornamental Grasses) Learn Garden Grass which makes your landscape attractive, Ornamental Grasses, and more information about grasses.Generally, we do not give any place in our garden to grass, but do you know that you can use a variety of Garden grass in your garden to enhance the charm of a beautiful landscape and garden. For areas with partial shade, plants like reed grasses and fountain grasses will work. Today gardeners use them liberally in the garden — for their low maintenance, ease of growth, long flowering time, few insects and diseases, and ready availability. List of the Ornamental grasses to grow in your garden; Festuca – Fescue (Festuca glauca) is a colorful ornamental grass with icy blue foliage and pale yellow flowers. Ornamental grasses are gorgeous, eye-catching plants that provide color, texture and motion to the landscape. 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