Ornamental Grasses

   Grass is the most versatile and adaptable landscaping tool used today.  While grasses seldom catch the full attention of the those viewing the garden, they are an integral part of every garden.  There is an ornamental grass for any area, ranging from 6 inch mounds to 20 foot tall screens.  Grasses can also be found in a wide array of colors, shapes, textures, and outlines.  Ornamental grasses are also easily maintained, needing watering only during very dry spells.  However, certain ornamental grasses tend to do better in some environments than others.  For instance, some grasses tend to thrive in/around water gardens, whereas others do well in wide open areas where they are used for shade and screening.  Below are three commonly used ornamental grasses, along with their optimal environments and other general information.

Maiden Grass:

    The taller Maiden grass originated in Japan and China.  The grass grows in small groups and can reach a height of 6' tall, making it a fine choice for fencing/screening purposes.  Maiden grass tends to flourish in damp soil, but can also survive in less than perfect conditions.  It requires a full exposure to the sun and tends to flop over and turn orange when not given enough sunlight.  The grass grows the most in the summer months when the weather is warmest and flowers in late July/ early August.  

Blue Oat Grass:

    Blue Oat grass is more of a stubby and round shape than that of the Maiden grass.  It grows to a dimension of about 2'-3" by 2'-3" by 2'-3".  The grass begins as a pale blue color in the early months, and then moves to a light brown as the year progresses, ending in a golden color in the late fall/ early winter months.  The blue oat grass is a very problem-free grass in that it does not rot or attract pests.  The grass requires a fair amount of sunshine and must be planted in well drained soil.  Depending on the climate, it may need to be placed in mulch.

Ribbon grass or Gardner's garters:

    Ribbon grass, also known as Reed Canary grass, is a fast growing plant that reaches a height of no more than 3'.  It tends to thrive in wet or swampy areas and is not usually considered the "main attraction of the garden".  Ribbon grass is relatively low maintenance and is commonly used along brick walkways because it does not use an excessive amount of roots.

Click HERE to go to a website with a very good video on planting ornamental grasses.

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