Gorgeous Grasses

It seems entirely appropriate that my first ever Garden blog post should be on the subject of ornamental grasses, as I am totally passionate about this group of plants.  Every garden that I design includes a grass variety, or two….or three!   Grasses add texture, movement and luminosity to otherwise static plantings.  Most are drought tolerant, and are rarely troubled by insect pests or diseases. They are simply so versatile, beautiful year round and easy care not to be used exuberantly in all areas of your garden.

Helictotrichon sempervirens flower

There are grasses to suit every corner of your garden:  from full sun to shade, wet or dry, and even shallow and poor quality soils.  Ornamental grasses come in a multitude of colours besides green, including steely blue, gold, silver, chartreuse, bronze and even jet black.  Many grasses are evergreen and provide structure and interest through the seasons.  Others die back when the cold temperatures arrive, yet hold their dried structure through the winter, offering food and shelter for the birds and photo worthy opportunities for sunlight glistening on frosty seedheads.

Deschampsia ‘Northern Lights’ in fall after foliage has died back

sunlight illuminates Nasella tenuissima – with Perovskia and Echinacea

So many grasses are available in at garden centres nowadays, it’s hard to know which varieties to choose.  Here are my tried, tested and preferred picks for growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest:

Sun lovers

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass) – evergreen
Miscanthus ‘Flamingo’, ‘Adagio’, ‘Purpurescens’ (Maiden grass) – warm season
Pennisetum ‘Hameln’, ‘Moudry’, ‘Karley Rose’ (Fountain grass) – warm season
Nasella tenuissima (Feather grass) – cool season
Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’, ‘Shenandoah’ (Switch Grass) – warm season
Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue fescue) – cool season
Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, ‘Overdam’ (Feather reed grass) – cool season
Carex ‘Prairie Fire’ (Orange sedge) – evergreen

Miscanthus flowers in October

Shade Tolerant

Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’ (Japanese Forest Grass) – warm season
Carex elata ‘Aurea’ (Bowles golden sedge) – cool season
Carex ‘Ice Dance’ (Variegated groundcover sedge) – evergreen
Deschampsia ‘Northern Lights’ (Hair grass) – cool season
Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’ (Variegated moor grass) – cool season
Ophiopogon ‘Nigrescens’ (Black mondo grass) – evergreen
Chasmanthum latifolium (Northern sea oats) – warm season
Imperata ‘Red Baron’ (Blood grass) – warm season

Chasmanthum latifolium seed head resembles oats

Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’ and Ophiopogon ‘Nigrescens’ in a mixed shade border

I encourage you to experiment adding some grasses to your existing beds.  You’ll be surprised how much they elevate the overall look and feel of your garden.

happy gardening!
~kristi

© Kristi Bellis and Bluleaf Living, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristi Bellis and Bluleaf Living with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.