Not Un-Ornamental Grasses

The evolution of garden design this past century has produced an array of striking landscapes. If it weren't for the concerns about the environment, our resources, and for the higher costs of maintenance, this evolution would likely be occurring at a much slower pace, leaving us still with large expanses of lawn, sweeping toparied hedges, and citrus trees overwintering in a conservatory!

Fortunately, a more naturalistic approach has emerged that places far fewer demands on the environment and ourselves. The requirements for this new style are simple, consisting of a basic knowledge of the plant material used, and a willingness to look at plants as possessing more intrinsic value than just colour.

Ornamental grasses provide a perfect springboard for this new approach to gardening. The value of ornamental grasses is important because their colour is often secondary to their shape, texture, and the increasingly-relevant elements of sound and movement. When winter has drained most of the colour from your garden and the snow lies heavy on the beds, it is branches that can provide structure and interest in the bleak landscape. Grasses will poke through the snow too, and their vertical plumes and arching branches make a very interesting sillouette indeed.

5 Reasons Grasses are Great

Grasses are low maintenance.

Grasses have 4-season interest.

Grasses come from a large, diverse plant group, so there are many types, surely with one in a suitable category for every garden (including yours)

Grasses are easy to propagate.

Grasses have incredible growth rates.

The sixth reason might not apply to all of you; all but a few ornamental grass species are completely unpalatable to browsing deer!

These positive attributes, coupled with stunning visual properties, ensure their place in the new direction of garden design. If you are looking to incorporate a clump or two of ornamental grasses in your garden, I recommend a boo at the following articles. I'm sure they'll help you come to a decision.

Great Grass Links
Not Un-ornamental Grass Discussion
You don't actually have to say anything here, just come and look at what's been said. There will likely be people dropping by to discuss their favourite ornamental grass, and I welcome all readers to do the same. I would love to know which grasses work best for you, or which ones you would like to know more about.

Ornamental Grasses - Sparkling Fountains in the Drought
A beginner's guide to some popular grasses - here you will find Virtually Gardening's Carol Wallace's favourites.

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