Gardens With Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are more or less exactly what they sound like: ostentatious species of grass. These plants are found throughout the world and are often used in gardening and landscaping projects as ornamental accouterments. Species of ornamental grass range in size from 6 inches to 15 feet and have myriad landscaping applications. Types of grass species, species habitat, culture, use and common maintenance practices such as dividing are all important information for ornamental grass growers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Species by Habitat
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Colorado State University Extension horticulturalist C.R. Wilson divides ornamental grasses into two categories: those suited to growth on dry sites and those suited to growth in moist gardens. North American species suited for dry-site growth include eastern wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), June grass (Koeleria macrantha syn. K. cristata), needle grass (Stipa spartea), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans).
Species suited for growth in moist gardens include maiden grasses of the Miscanthus genus, the pink and white variegated 'Northern Lights' tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights') cultivar and shade-tolerant species such as Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha).
Dividing Grass
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Dividing ornamental grasses helps keep specimens at a manageable size while promoting plant health. According to "Fine Gardening" magazine assistant editor Daryl Beyers, plants should be divided when growth in the center of the plant becomes sparse while growth at the edges is dense and lush. To divide a plant, dig it completely out the ground and divide the root ball with a saw. The broken-down segments of large grass clumps can be transplanted and will grow as individual plants, thus increasing the number of plants in the landscape while maintaining plant health. This should be done in the spring.
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Landscape Use
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There are many uses for ornamental grass. C.R. Wilson recommends planting species in water, Japanese, rock, wildlife, craft and xeriscape gardens as well as containers to add movement and sound to gardens. David H. Trinklein recommends using small species of ornamental grass to add texture to beds and borders and as a carpet plant. Medium plants can be planted in arrangement with foundational specimens such as trees while large species of ornamental grass can be used to create screens. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Sharon Yiesla recommends ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus, switch grass (Panicum spp) and Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium spp) for winter garden borders, though cautions that heavy snowfalls will flatten the grass.
Culture
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Ornamental grass requires minimal attention from gardeners. Species are tolerant of most soil types though prefer loamy soil with a higher organic matter content. Warm-season grasses, or those suited to growth in hot regions, should be planted in the spring. Cool-season grasses -- or those suited to growth in cool environments -- can be planted in the spring or fall. When planted in the fall, cool-season grasses benefit from mulch. University of Missouri plant scientist David H. Trinklein recommends using a general-purpose fertilizer in a ratio of 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 at a rate of 2 lbs. per 100 square feet for optimal ornamental grass growth. Species prefer full sun exposure. Ornamental grasses should be watered regularly when planted to improve root establishment. In subsequent seasons water should only be supplied during periods of drought.
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References
- Photo Credit ornamental grass image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
