What Evergreen Shrubs Work with Ornamental Grasses?

Dried seedheads look great when juxtaposed with evergreen boughs.

Ornamental grasses suitable for garden design are immense as there are dozens of species, each with varying winter hardiness, light and soil tolerances and ornamental leaf or seed plume features. Common bond among grasses are their general upright, spike-like texture and form. They also inevitably accrue dried, dead foliage. Intermingling evergreen shrubs with ornamental grasses in a landscape design contrasts the color and texture of the grass blades and seed heads. Does this Spark an idea?

Juniper

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) comprise many different species that need sunshine and a well-draining soil. These growing needs parallel many ornamental grasses. Regardless of U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone, there is likely at least one juniper species or cultivar appropriate to grow alongside an ornamental grass. Choose sprawling, low-growing junipers, especially around short-growing ornamental grasses. Do not use a large juniper that will overtake and shade-out ornamental grasses. Among the junipers commonly grown as shrubs that grow between 3 and 4 feet tall are Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis), common juniper (Juniperus communis), singleseed juniper (Juniperus squamata), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) and Bonin Island juniper (Juniperus procumbens).

Holly

Small-sized hollies make good counterparts for ornamental grasses growing in acidic soils in sunny locations. Holly plants readily accept pruning to maintain a compact, rounded form to contrast the billowy, upright textures of the grass clumps. Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) includes some cultivars that mature less than 3 to 5 feet tall: Nana, Schilling's dwarf, Stoke's dwarf, Straughn's and Carolina ruby. These grow in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 and warmer. Dwarf selections of Japanese holly (Ilex verticillata) are bruns, dwarf pagoda and golden gem and grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 7. Consider Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda') for dry, hot garden sites in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 through 9. Use inkberry (Ilex glabra 'Compacta') in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

Dwarf Conifer

The ambiguous term "dwarf conifer" includes any species of cone-bearing, needled evergreen that grows significantly shorter than its wild tree form. Often slow growing, they mature or are pruned to stay between 1 and 6 feet in height and width. There is a species and cultivar of dwarf conifer suitable to gardens across USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. Many false cypress dwarf conifers (Chamaecyparis spp.) include foliage colored yellow, gold, green or gray-green. Dwarf spruces (Picea spp.) are best in cold winter regions with cool summers. Dwarf pines (Pinus spp.) tend to grow in sunny, drier soil conditions than other conifers, but there are always exceptions. Visit a local nursery to learn which species of dwarf conifer prosper in your area and to see the varied color and foliage textures to juxtapose with ornamental grasses.

References

• "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants"; Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey, eds.; 2004
• University of Tennessee: Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape
• Colorado State University: Ornamental Grasses
• Diane's Flower Seeds: Companion Plants for Ornamental Grasses

Resources

• Read this Article in UK English
• National Gardening Association: USDA Hardiness Zone Finder
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Best Ornamental Grasses