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In the Garden: Grasses great in gardens

The appreciation of ornamental grasses is skyrocketing but it takes a while to understand the nature of each variety of grass and to see what it looks like during every season.
minter

The appreciation of ornamental grasses is skyrocketing but it takes a while to understand the nature of each variety of grass and to see what it looks like during every season.

Yes, they have their down times but this little hiccup is easily overshadowed by their many fine qualities.

Most grasses, once established in a site they enjoy, are virtually carefree: a little watering in summer, a little protection in winter and an annual pruning. They all have fresh new growth in late spring, attractive flowers in autumn and an interesting look even in winter. Summer breezes cause their leaves and stems to sway, adding not only life and movement to a garden but, also, the sound of rustling foliage — it’s like listening to nature’s music.

Many grasses, such as miscanthus which really plumes up in late summer, literally shine when backlit by the warm golden sunlight so unique to fall. For many winters now I’ve enjoyed evergreen grasses, such as carex, gently caressing the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Grasses have so much to offer - they’re plants for all seasons. We now have to learn how to use them in just the right location, even in the shade.

I think ‘Purple Fountain’ grass is the most beautiful ornamental grass. It’s an annual with deep burgundy foliage and bunny-tail plumes that dance in every breeze. They look great, even all by themselves, in any container or garden but are especially attractive when surrounded with hot pink ‘Wave’ or ‘Bubblegum’ petunias. Its cousin, Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’, with its burgundy and pink stripes, is no slouch either when it comes to the ‘wow’ factor.

The plumes on all hardy pennisetums are just now beginning to show and they are fun. The very compact P. ‘Hameln’ and P. ‘Piglet’ are beauties, so is P. ‘Burgundy Bunny’ with its burgundy striped foliage and dainty plumes. P. ‘Redhead‘ is a little more dramatic with larger bunny-tail plumes that really stand out year after year. These are all winter hardy, drought tolerant and very showy, especially in those hot sunny spots.

Miscanthus grasses also create magic. The drama queens are the larger 4-5 foot grasses with big showy flower heads. However, there’s a new trend towards smaller, more compact varieties, like my favourite ‘Yaku Jima’, that brings its beauty down to a lower level for a stunning effect. Even without plumes, variegated miscanthus, like ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Cosmopolitan’, are quite the showstoppers.

Speaking of variegation, M. ‘Strictus’ (porcupine grass) is always a hit with its yellow horizontal stripes up and down the stems. A little smaller but very elegant, M. ‘Morning Light’ is a favourite for use in containers or ground beds. Newer varieties, like M. ‘Ghana’, have rich autumn coloured foliage, as well as amazing plumes that gently sway in summer breezes. Early-blooming ‘Encore’ is the newest variety with, as the name suggests, a repeat performance. All of these look amazing when surrounded with perennial rudbeckias, especially ‘Goldsturm’ and ‘Early Bird Gold’ which bloom until frost.

The more compact varieties of grasses can turn a boring planter into an interesting display. Evergreen fescues, like the new ‘Beyond Blue’ and the fantastic carex grasses, like ‘Everillo, ‘Eversheen’, ‘Everlime’ and ‘Evergold’, are all amazing by themselves or together in combination with virtually any contrasting foliage. Most of these are ‘spill overs’ and look great in containers or in the ground. For a more vertical look, try Acorus ‘Ogon’, a year-round upright plant that grows 12-18 inches tall and is a great accent around other trees and shrubs.

One of the most demanded grasses today is the tall, narrow architectural grass called Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’. In group plantings or in containers, it turns heads because of its unique structure.

Panicums too are becoming popular because of their changing colours late in the summer and their habit of gentle movement in the breeze. Panicum virgatum ‘Little Red Gem’ and P.v. ‘Northwind’ are particularly beautiful. I love P. ‘Hot Rod’ that turns red early and proceeds to get even redder. P. ‘Thundercloud’ is also very impressive as it grows 7 feet tall.

There’s never been such a wide selection of ornamental grasses available to add a fresh look and fun to our summer gardens. They love the heat and, once established, are very drought tolerant.

Many are evergreen too and carry their beauty into winter.