Ornamental Grass Provides Different Lines In Your Garden

Providing a unique texture and beauty to the garden as well as showy displays, ornamental grasses are occasionally overlooked when planning a garden design. They may be used as a sole clump that provides a variation on the normal foliage within a garden bed or they could be made as a living showpiece at the centre of the garden. The can even be grouped together to form hedgerows or ground covering borders, such is their versatility.

For the most part, ornamental grass varieties aren’t fussy about the soil types they are given. With water conservation an ever-present consideration these days, ornamental grasses become an ideal garden choice with many of them drought tolerant with the exception of sedges. 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.

The diversity of the various types of ornamental grass can be seen by taking a brief look at a few well known grasses ofdifferent sizes.

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. Growing up to 12 feet tall and crested with a showy plume of feathery white or pink it can put on a real show. You have to be careful not to let Pampas Grass grow out of control as it is considered a noxious weed in some areas.

Moving from the big to the small, some ornamental grass varieties such as Mondo Grass are used to show off other plants in the garden by providing a lush green background canvas. Used as a groundcover or low border the can really define the tone of a garden.

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

The various types of ornamental grasses have 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.