Ornamental Grass Makes A Garden More Interesting

Ornamental grass allows a large amount of variation in tone and texture to be injected into a garden, but for a good deal of the year they are almost unseen in some gardens. They can be used as a single clump to provide valuable filler foliage or as a showy centrepiece arrangement standing proudly in the middle of the garden. They're a versatile group of plants and can be grouped together to from hedgerows or as a formal border.

As long as the soil is well-drained, ornamental grass varieties will do well in all types of soils. Apart from the sedges, they are drought tolerant and with more emphasis being placed on water conservation, ornamental grasses are an ideal choice for a low-water garden. Although it is best to look up exactly which position is most suitable for an individual type of plant, ornamental grasses generally prefer a sunny to partially shaded position.

Taking a look at a few specific types of ornamental grasses we can get a grasp of the diversity of uses they exhibit.

Some, such as Muhly Grass can sit quietly in the garden blending in with its neighbours as an unremarkable looking plant that grows to a height of around 3 foot. But come the end of summer it really comes out of its shell and produces a resounding display of deep pink-red inflorescence giving it a real cotton candy look.

Making an ornamental grass plant such as Pampas Grass a feature in the garden provides a central showpiece character with a difference. The plumage of the Pampas Grass can be quite showy with a coice of either white or pink and various shades in between sitting up to 12 feet tall. However, Pampas Grass must be carefully tended and is regarded as a noxious weed in some areas.

On the smaller end of the scale is the Mondo Grasses with varieties such as the black, dwarf, giant and a variegated form these are a versatile and useful addition to the garden. Used as a groundcover or low border they can really define the tone of a garden.

A quick run through of some of the popular ornamental grasses to consider includes: Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Pennisetum, Fountain Grass, Northern Sea Oats, Zebra Grass, Blood Grass and Bunny Tails.

Ornamental grass has a lot to offer a garden and is well worth considering when planning a new garden design. Whether using them as a ground cover, a striking floral statement or a border they will give the garden an added memorable elemental design.