Things You'll Need:
- Selection of ornamental grasses
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Step 1
Select for height. Ornamental grass species range from about a foot high at maturity to more than seven feet tall. Choose several varieties with a range of heights. In general, plant taller varieties to the back of the bed, or toward the center of a round bed.
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Step 2
Select for color. Ornamental grasses can be found in all shades of green, from pale yellow-greens to deep blue-greens. There are also varieties with a reddish tinge to their stalks and seed heads. Decide on a basic color scheme that emphasizes two shades, and accent that with a couple of plantings in a more dramatic color such as one of the reddish varieties.
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Step 3
Choose grasses for year-round interest. Some varieties appear early in spring, while others come along later. Additionally, many grasses produce large, impressive seed heads in autumn that may last through the winter. These seed heads also provide a food source for birds visiting your garden in winter.
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Step 4
Plant grasses with different textures. There are grasses with long silky tassels, grasses that look like wheat or grain crops, grasses with razor sharp leaves and grasses with feathery tops. As with color, plan for a general texture theme and then accent with two or three plantings that really stand out from the crowd.
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Step 5
Choose companion plants. Although this garden will showcase grasses, the grasses will show off better among some carefully chosen companion plants. Russian sage is an example of a very good companion for grasses because it's gracefully-arching branches and small flowers complement the grass without overshadowing it.
