Find the Best Ornamental Grasses to bring Drama to your Garden Design

Although I love my flowers, I love adding different styles of Ornamental grass to my garden beds for an extra boost to the natural beauty. Many are predominately green which is a wonderful backdrop to colorful flower blooms. Many are white or light colored which makes other color pop. One of my favorite features is that most grasses offer a rustling sound and movement in the garden with the summer breeze. Many continue to make sound during the winter, too.

Below I have included the plants I have designed into my own garden beds.

Yes, just 3...

so far.

Image Credit: by Greg's Landscaping via Creative Commons License.

All other photos were taken by me.

I was hoping to train Rascal to use that grass, instead of the grass in which the grandkids run around on. That was a failed attempt due to lack of consistent training, but I love the look of the green and white "grass garden".

Strawberries & Cream Ribbon Grass grows quickly, with a spreading and shallow root system. Easy to grow and transplant, it will grow best in sunny to part shade, but will still in succeed in shade only conditions, too.

Planting guidelines say this plant loves moist and wet conditions, and I do suggest watering well until established, but I have had great success with the very dry, and never watered, garden bed shown above.

But with the usual care, they will survive. The brown and wilted grassy reeds will not be rejuvenated, but new growth is prompted from the root system. Within 2 weeks of recommended care and watering, these plants will have grown at least 6 inches high. One consideration before adding this plant into your garden...These grasses do spread so unless you are committed to digging them out often, do keep away from formal garden designs. One option is to use patio block to contain the spreading nature of Ribbon Grasses. Since the root system is so shallow, this is more than enough of a barrier to keep it growing where you like.

One word of caution...

Make sure to make yourself aware of the growing habit of the grasses you choose.

Some are creeping like the Ribbon Grass and will take over an area in just a few years, if not sooner. To spread faster, dig up small rooted sections in well populated areas and plant in less dense areas.

Some, like Maiden Grass, will grow in shrub-like mounds and will become quite wide. After a few years of growth, trim down for the season, either before winter or in spring before new growth, cut in half or quarters, dig down and lift the root ball, and transfer to another area of your garden.

Even though this newly planted and young plant was nearly flattened by a foot of snow, twice during its first year's winter, it was still mostly upright and looked a lot better than some of the other remnants in the garden beds. I loved how the long flowered and golden fronds still waved in the breeze.

This miniature grass is so relaxing to watch as it sways in the smallest of breezes. The light as air fronds go from a rich green grass, then the addition of white plumes, eventually changing to a red-tinged color.

This is one of the grasses that looks glorious in the winter months. The fronds dissipate so the grass blades are left to turn to a golden color that move during the entire season.... at least when not covered by a foot of snow.

This is my second Pony Tail plant I've had. The first did not survive to rebloom for the next spring, so I considered it an annual, as does my local garden store. Surprise, surprise! This one lived through to bloom again during the second season. I'm waiting to see what happens this year. If it doesn't sprout this spring, I'll just plant another since I've decided this grass is now a necessity in my gardenscape design.

Next Up... Pink Muhly Grass

I love the pink color this type of grass can add to a landscape design. Haven't researched yet but, can't wait to see what drama these might impart to my garden.