The desire to create a beautiful space can be challenging and requires the dedicated time to maintain it for its success. One way to accomplish this is to invest in low-maintenance plants that require very little work and care that fits any lifestyle without the hard work involved. Ornamental grasses can offer that solution needed, and they are becoming more popular as we have changed our focus on more sustainable solutions to achieve gardens that are visually appealing.
What are Decorative Grasses
They are from the grass family and are used primarily in many gardens for aesthetics. They are most selected as the gardener's choice because they are low maintenance, require less dedicated time to prune, water and to care for them as with other plants. This makes them appealing and a choice for the garden. In this post we will examine the top ten grasses that offer a stunning visual impact transforming your garden into a space of effortless beauty.
Why Choose Decorative Grasses
Choosing an ornamental grass as an alternative to turf has many environmental benefits. The reduction of water and chemical usage. Allowing pollinators to benefit from this habitat while providing food and shelter to continue in the contribution of biodiversity. Grasses are easy to care for and creates beauty adding a variety of textures and colours that can be seen all year round. They are suitable for many climates and are adaptable to many soil conditions and seasons. Making them an easy-care solution for your garden needs as they are drought-tolerant and will not require you to spend too much time taking care of them continuously.
They can create uniqueness as an addition to borders and edging. Use them in containers or in the garden space blended with perennials or by adding features like stones to create colour and textures to the space. Watch as these grasses bring movement to the garden with just a little breeze you will find them gently swaying with the wind allowing the garden to become alive and filled with pollinators which find them attracting with this motion.
Key Factors for Choosing Grasses
The growing habits indicate that they are non-aggressive they will not spread and overtake the garden space. They provide a vast array of season colours and enhances the garden with vibrant colours and allows you to see the contrast of the other flowers in the garden. They enjoy some sunlight but also are able to tolerable shade conditions. These plants are fully adaptable to many soil conditions including thriving in drought like conditions and being able to survive with minimal water. Grasses offer a relaxed approach to gardening knowing that they are disease and pest resistant. This excludes the use of any type of chemical to eliminate this condition. It is the opportunity to give the environment a relief from the use of these chemicals creating a space to relax knowing that the air is environmentally friendly.
Most gardeners have to go through the process of deadheading plants, and they are usually done when the season's bloom is finished. With grasses this process is not necessary and saves you time to attend to other needs in the garden. Once these grasses are established, they will thrive without much maintenance. This makes them a good addition for a budget-friendly garden and what is unique about them is the ability to remain beautiful even throughout the winter months. The effect of the fresh snow falling on them reminds us that even in winter where every plant seems to be asleep, they are still there to show off some of their beauty with creativity which can be enjoyed in the cold months.
Choose the Best for your Space
These selections were made taking the following as criteria low-maintenance, aesthetic appeal and performance. Having low-maintenance plants was important as a choice to allow the gardener to spend more time dedicated to other plants in the space. Aesthetic is also important for the garden which can be used to contrast with other flowers and to make the space beautiful and stand out not only for the warm months but also to be appreciated in the winter season. Performance is important for sustainability reducing the cost of having to continuously plant each season. The budget was considered as an important contributor in making these decisions.
Feather Reed Grass ( Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foester )
A show piece grass with feathery plums that changes into gold in the winter season. Growing up to five feet blooming in late spring to early summer exhibiting plumes that begin with colours of purplish and fades to gold. A popular choice for gardeners used for vertical accents due to their tall feathery plumes which remains attractive for the garden throughout the winter months.
They are low-maintenance, drought -tolerant and extremely tough. Once they have become established, they will be resilient to pests. They enjoy full sunshine and are very adaptable to many soil conditions. They are used in many designs as vertical accents or for urban gardening and are used to enhance the arrangements of cut flowers. One of the unique characteristics of this plant is its ability to sway adding movement to the garden.
Little Bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium )
A native grass to North America and Canada it appears in upright clumps and is generally between two to three feet in height. It is also know by the name Prairie Beardgrass with a blue green colour during the summer and transforming into bright orange, red and purple foliage as it approaches the fall season. A spectacular colour transformation for the garden. It is drought tolerant and is able to thrive in poor soil conditions.
A disease and pest resistant plant making it ideal for the garden. It has been used in meadows and makes an attractive border when used in the garden creating a clear distinction between each species of different variations of plant life growing there. It uniqueness is its ability to form arches resembling the bristles of a bottle brush. A good addition for the space allowing pollinators like birds and other insects to feed and find shelter which helps with the eco-systems enhancement. It is also helpful in controlling soil erosion.
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides )
This is an elegant grass with plumes in a pinkish colour and also changing to a tan colour. It creates an elegant arch giving the illusion of a waterfall without the water. The flowers are fluffy and can be seen towards the middle or sometimes late in the summer. It is low maintenance bringing elegance including movement to the garden through a gentle breeze you garden will come alive. It is drought-tolerant needing sunshine with a well-drained soil. Once established there is minimum care needed.
Fountain grass is pest free generating seeds from the flower that pollinators like birds love. It is able to provide them with the nourishment they need throughout the season and also in the cool months of winter. This grass is it is deer-resistant because they abhor the taste of it which keeps them away and at the same time providing protection for the other plant in the garden.
Gardeners are attracted to them because they are drought-tolerant and can be utilized in urban areas eliminating the need to constantly provide them with water. Some varieties that are popular include Hameln, Maudry having dark coloured flower heads and the Little Bunny which is the dwarf variety and can be used especially for small space gardens or for containers. It requires minimal care, no fertilizers necessary and annual cutbacks can be done later in the winter season, or you can choose spring as an option. Expect to see beautiful green colours in spring leading into more colourful plumes for the summer and eventually a golden foliage.
Plants that support biodiversity are crucial for a healthy ecosystem and these types of vegetation provides shelter, food for birds and other pollinators allowing the environment to maintain its resilience without causing disturbances that will affect both plants and animals.
Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum )
A native plant to North America growing upright with blue to green foliage reaching heights of up to six feet. The bluish green blades will convert to yellow reaching a darker shade of bronze in Autumn creating a beautiful backdrop and focal point for the garden. It’s ability to grow both in moist and dry conditions makes it very adaptable to these conditions. It is especially helpful in controlling erosion especially for slopes that can deteriorate with too much rainfall. This is because Switchgrass has fibrous roots that offer stability preventing moisture from causing losses to the soil. It is a sustainable solution in its ability to resist erosion.
Switchgrass can be used as a standalone plant, for edging, rock gardens or in containers. A good provision for wildlife generating valuable seeds which will provide food for the winter season in addition they are deer- resistant and are a drought-tolerant plant. Maintenance of this grass is minimal they need sunshine and are resilient to harsh climates and an advantage to any naturalized setting.
Japanese Forest Grass ( Hakonechloa macra )
Think of this plant as your mini waterfall with cascading foliage of bright green or variegated gold. This plant is a slow spreading grass with heights of up to eighteen inches. It arches and sways in gentle breeze. The leaves offer a soft texture and can be found in bright colours from green and yellow having variegated striped to colours of red- bronze hues for the fall season. It is not a specie that loves too much sun and can be considered best for a shaded area and more tolerable for cooler climates.
This grass enjoys a well-drained soil; compost would be idea because of its richness in organic matter which is beneficial for this plant. Unlike some of its other species of grass it is able to tolerate some dampness in the soil. If you expect to have any dry periods in the summer, it will require water to offset this dry period. Once it has become fully established it will only require minimal care with cutbacks for winter or the spring season. They are mostly used for edging, containers or blended with shrubs. An ideal grass that is sure to enhance the garden with its brilliance heading into the fall season.
Blue Fescue ( Festuca glauca )
An eye-catching spiky grass that is low maintenance , drought-tolerant with silver-bluish foliage giving your garden the cool accent it needs form the bright yellows and reds and other dominant colours. It will also keep the blue colour for the season. It grows in compact sizes up to ten inches tall and will not overpower the garden. It adds contrast and texture to the space. There is no need for cutbacks and is also a deterrent for deer. Expect to see some flower spikes in early to mid-summer. Once established it requires very little water and will survive during the hot dry season.
It is excellent for rock soil and areas that are challenged with poor soil making it perfect for a garden that has issues with this type of soil as it will thrive. Use this grass for your pathways, rock gardens or mass planting. It makes the perfect addition to urban spaces where there isn’t much room. Blue Fescue will not spread and overtake the garden but will remain where it is planted. Adding a combination of plants like perennials are excellent for contrast and for visual impact.
Big Bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii )
A majestic North American prairie grass towing up to eight feet tall with deep roots burrowing into the soil and improving its structure. These roots create stability for slopes and help with the control of erosion. The colours of this grass are spectacular with shades of copper, burgundy and eventually will bloom purple flowers as it enters the fall season.
It is dense and provides support for wildlife and for pollinators to nest including butterflies, birds and other beneficial insects which need the support for food and shelter in the winter season. After it is established, there is minimum water needed, and it will survive the dry periods. It is capable of adjusting to poor soil conditions and is disease free and pest resistant making your landscape design easier to manage. Being eight feet in height makes it ideal for the back of the garden and it will not need any supporting structure. It tolerates full sun and will do well in a variety of soil.
It's environmental advantage is the ability to store carbon under the ground assisting to combat climate change. As we continue to make changes that are beneficial to our environment utilizing these plants that support these changes are an advantage to any society.
River Oats ( Chasmanthium latifolium )
A grass that has other names like Sea oats, Wild oats named due its oats like seed heads. Exhibiting colours of green and ending in the fall with bronze. This is an aggressive grass with its ability to self-seed and will need to have cutbacks or divided into groups after a few years of planting. Once it has been established it remains drought-tolerant requiring only minimum water. It is ideal for pollinators because it generates a massive amount of seeds and growing up to heights of four feet.
It has a fibrous root system which makes it a good choice for erosion control and has the ability to thrive in partial to full shade. Either moist or dried soil works for this grass. It is a great addition if you are trying to establish a woodland setting. They can also be used as cut flowers either fresh or to enhance the indoor space or as a dried arrangement.
Pink Muhly Grass ( Muhlenbergia capillaris )
If you are looking to find a grass with colour and will stand out in your space this grass will do the job. It is one of the most beautiful grasses featuring pink plumes adding texture with green foliage. It blooms in late summer to early fall and has a striking resemblance to pink cotton candy. A drought tolerant plant that is low-maintenance and deer resistant and seldom bothered by pests. Pink Muhly can thrive in poor soils, heat and humidity and but needs to be placed in a soil that is well-drained with full sun. Enjoy them as borders, in containers or rock gardens.
They produce flowers that are attractive to pollinators which enjoy all the benefits that this grass has to offer. Use them for creative designs by placing them in groups and adding lights to showcase the garden space especially at nighttime. They can also be placed on patios or container gardens. The benefit of using this grass is its fibrous roots are a preventative measure against soil erosion.
Japanese Silver Grass ( Miscanthus sinensis )
A tall but graceful grass with feathery plumes growing upright up to eight feet tall. It is popular for use in many landscaping for both aesthetics and it ability to stabilize the soil preventing erosion. A low maintenance grass which is also drought tolerant and deer resistant. It is dense and can be used to create a living fence due to its self-seeding abilities.
Use as borders, accents or in mass planting taking advantage of its silver and its pinkish plumes with some caution when planting to ensure that the species are not invasive. One way is to check with your local garden center to avoid this problem.
When planting grasses it is essential to choose the proper location keeping in mind that some can be invasive. Once established they are low maintenance needing very little care and few cutbacks. There are always options to enhance the space by adding other grasses with different colours and textures also add other plants to compliment the space for maximum visual effect. With these selections which are low maintenance it supports biodiversity and allows the gardener to enjoy the space with minimal effort.
Image generated with the help of AI using ChatGPT by OpenAI.