Ornamental Grasses: A Natural Beauty for Your Garden

Ornamental grasses have become increasingly popular in modern landscaping due to their versatility, low maintenance, and striking beauty. These elegant plants add texture, movement, and year-round interest to your garden.

Why Ornamental Grasses?

  • Low Maintenance: Many ornamental grasses require minimal care, making them ideal for busy gardeners.
  • Year-Round Interest: Most have stunning seed heads and their foliage often changes color with the seasons, providing visual appeal throughout the year.
  • Adaptability: Ornamental grasses can thrive in a variety of conditions, including full sun, partial shade, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
  • Versatile: Ornamental grasses can be used in various ways, from borders and ground covers to accent plants and container gardens.

Popular Ornamental Grasses That We Carry

  • Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis): Known for its airy plumes and graceful movement.
    • Overdam: Variegated foliage will grow to 2’-2 ½’ tall, seed heads can reach 5’ tall
    • Karl Foerester: Bright green foliage will grow to 3’-4’ tall, seed heads can reach 5’-6’ tall
  • Switchgrass (Panicum): A versatile grass with a more ridged form.
    • Northwind: Foliage can reach heights of 5’-6’ tall and has a beautiful fall color.
  • Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis): A fine-textured grass that forms a delicate, airy mound.
    • Tara: Mounds will grow to be 2’-3’ tall and wide.

Tips for Planting and Caring for Ornamental Grasses

  • Planting: Plant ornamental grasses in well-draining soil.
  • Sunlight: Most ornamental grasses prefer full sun, but some can tolerate partial shade.
  • Watering: Water deeply and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
  • Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
  • Trimming: Cut back ornamental grasses in late winter or early spring.
  • Seasonal Grasses: Feather reed grasses are cool season grasses, while switchgrass and prairie dropseed are warm season grasses. The warm season grasses will take a little longer to start pushing their new growth in the spring, so be patient with these varieties once the growing season starts

By incorporating ornamental grasses into your garden, you can create a stunning and low-maintenance landscape that will bring variety, beauty, and tranquility to your outdoor space.