Adding Interest To the Garden With Ornamental Grass

A group of plants that get forgotten in the garden for most of the year, but deserve greater appreciation for the texture and balance they provide are ornamental grasses. They may be used as a sole clump that provides a variation on the normal foliage within a garden bed or they could be made as a living showpiece at the centre of the garden. They're a versatile group of plants and can be grouped together to from hedgerows or as a formal border.

For the most part, ornamental grass varieties aren’t fussy about the soil types they are given. With water conservation an ever-present consideration these days, ornamental grasses become an ideal garden choice with many of them drought tolerant with the exception of sedges. Although it is best to look up exactly which position is most suitable for an individual type of plant, ornamental grasses generally prefer a sunny to partially shaded position.

The diversity of the various types of ornamental grass can be seen by taking a brief look at a few well known grasses ofdifferent sizes.

Some, such as Muhly Grass will sit largely unnoticed in the garden blending in with its neighbours as an unremarkable looking plant that grows to a height of around 3 foot. But come the end of summer it really comes out of its shell and produces a resounding display of deep pink-red inflorescence giving it a real cotton candy look.

In larger gardens you may find an ornamental grass such as Pampas Grass commanding attention as a magnificent clump ruling over the rest of the garden looking visually stunning. The plumage of the Pampas Grass can be quite showy with a coice of either white or pink and various shades in between sitting up to 12 feet tall. However, Pampas Grass must be carefully tended and is regarded as a noxious weed in some areas.

Moving from the big to the small, some ornamental grass varieties such as Mondo Grass are used to show off other plants in the garden by providing a lush green background canvas. Used as a groundcover or low border they can really define the tone of a garden.

A quick run through of some of the popular ornamental grasses to consider includes: Fountain Grass, Blood Grass, Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Pennisetum, Northern Sea Oats, Zebra Grass and Bunny Tails.

The various types of ornamental grasses have a lot to offer a garden and is well worth considering when planning a new garden design. Whether using them as a border, a ground cover or a striking floral statement they will give the garden an added memorable elemental design.