From the garden of David Christopher in our Orleans Garden Center
They can be colorful, wavy and whimsical and can be used as accent plants, feature plants or border plants. They are extremely compact, low maintenance and easy to grow. They come in all shapes and sizes and will fit into any garden design.
And yet they seem to be one of the least understood and underutilized plants in the yard landscape…. We’re talking about ornamental grasses! With so many options out there, it can be confusing and one can be unsure about which grass is the right fit for your garden!
So where do you start? Perhaps a little insight about the origins of ornamental grasses will be helpful.
The popularity of ornamental grasses likely began in the 1930’s after German nurseryman named Karl Foerster took an interest in growing ornamental grasses. Foerster began collecting grasses and grass seeds throughout the world and planted them in his perennial nurseries. He soon realized their uniqueness and beauty as part of a natural garden. As he watched them develop, he decided to share his interest by introducing them into the nursery trade.
The appeal of ornamental grasses in the back yard landscape took homeowners by storm in the 1970’s and 1980’s when naturalistic gardens featuring grasses began to appear in public and private gardens as well as on the covers of national magazines.
Today, ornamental grasses are widely used in landscaping across the U.S. Now that more varieties are available, you are guaranteed to find an ornamental grass that will blend perfectly into every garden or yard!
Now that we know a little more about their history, it’s time to look at options.
No matter what variety you’re talking about, grasses all share the same characteristics…what I like to refer to as the ABC’s of Ornamental Grasses.
A; They’re all Aesthetically Appealing with upright or fountain shaped features.
B: These grasses are all Bold and Beautiful with plume-like flowers and feathery textures.
C: They all add Contrast and Character with often colorful or unique foliage.
They are all easy to Care for, requiring little to no attention during the growing season.
So, when looking for an ornamental grass there really is no bad choice. The only consideration you will need to make is whether you want to plant your grasses in a sunny or shady spot. You will also need to decide where in the garden setting do you want to place it.
Once you have decided where you will plant your grasses, like choosing an accent piece for your living room decor, pick a style that speaks to you and makes you feel good about your newest addition to your garden design.
Visit us at Agway of Cape Cod to talk to an expert and browse our ornamental grass options.