Ornamental Grass

INFORMATION ABOUT ORNAMENTAL GRASS…

Image by Charles Barnhill Over the past few years, people have begun to discover that ornamental grasses are the rhythm section to the symphony of the garden. While most ornamental grasses are not the show stoppers in a garden, they do add much to the backdrop. Ornamental grass can add that little bit of punch that take a garden from pretty to beautiful.

There are basically two types of ornamental grass.

Cool weather grass will start growing in early spring through fall (perhaps even into winter with certain species) but are at their best during cooler weather. They do require more water in warmer dryer weather, or they may die back a little. Cool weather grasses are very vigorous and need to be divided every year or two to keep them from developing dead centers.

Warm weather grass will not start growing until the weather is warm. The previous years foliage should be cut back to keep the plant looking and growing healthy. While warm weather grass does need to be divided occasionally, it does not need it as frequently as the cool weather grass.

Ornamental grass can have one of two root structures.

Clump forming ornamental grasses will stay in one spot and, as the name suggests, will grow only in a clump or mound. They are not invasive and are safe to plant in your garden among other plants.

The rhizomatous or running ornamental grass, on the other hand, can be very invasive. Gardeners who plant this type of grass should take the proper steps to confine its root system in the garden. Many gardeners will plant these types of ornamental grasses in a bucket that then goes in the ground or will bury some sort of barrier around the root system of the ornamental grass.

Propagating ornamental grasses is very easy. It is just a matter of digging up the clump, cutting the root ball in half and then replanting the two plants.

Ornamental grass comes in a variety of heights, so finding the right one for your garden will be easy. The drama and texture ornamental grass can add to a garden is well worth the slight extra effort these plants require.