Grasses are more important economically than any other plant group. They are grown commercially for food. Wheat is an example. They are grown for use as turf. Ornamental grasses have become extremely popular over the past 10 years. Now, there are almost infinite varieties from which to choose. Ornamental grasses provide three seasons of interest: summer foliage and fall blooms that persist through winter along with the past season’s dry, brown foliage. Tall ornamental grasses grow from the ground up each year. It is an awesome sight to see a plant emerge from the soil and grow to six feet or taller in three or four months.
At least part of the rise in popularity of ornamental grasses is because they are so easy to grow. They are not fussy about soil as long as it is not waterlogged. Grasses benefit from regular watering, but most are drought tolerant, especially ones with narrow leaves. If you want your ornamental grass to reach its full height, you will almost certainly need to provide some water. Full sun is preferable, though grasses with wide blades can tolerate more shade than grasses with narrow blades. Some people do not fertilize ornamental grasses at all. Grasses love nitrogen and benefit from some balanced fertilizer in the spring. Organically, compost and blood meal with do nicely. The only maintenance is to cut back the clumps in mid-spring to about six inches and remove the dead center of the clump so new growth can come up. Ornamental grasses can be propagated from seeds or divisions. Large clumps should be divided every three or four years.
Tall ornamental grasses can make a wonderful statement in the landscape. They are certainly at home in the meadow garden and prairie garden. In this use, they are combined with other grasses and native plants. Tall grasses can be used as a hedge or a windbreak when planted in rows. They can provide some relief from hot summer sun to the plants that surround them in perennial borders. The view of a long expanse of land can be highlighted by tall ornamental grasses interrupting it and leading the eye to the distance. Plant them on the south side of a building foundation to shelter it from the sun’s heat. Use a single specimen as a focal point or mass them for something spectacular. Tall ornamental grasses can form the “walls” of an outdoor room. They can be a “no mow” solution to a sunny slope.
When using tall ornamental grasses in the landscape, there are several qualities to consider. Most tall grasses grow in a clumping form, but some spread via above or below ground runners. They have a different look than the clumpers and this should be taken into account when planning. Think of them as tall groundcover as stalks will sprout here, there, and perhaps everywhere. Check to see that the grass you want is not invasive in your area. Some grasses sprout easily from seed and may appear where you do not want them. Consider the form you would like to see. Some tall grasses, like wheatgrass, grow in upright clumps. Others, like Festuca, are vase-shaped. Still others droop over and cascade like grasses in a windblown field. All of theses forms catch the sunlight, move gracefully, and rustle in the wind. Tall ornamental grasses can come with a variety of leaf forms. The blades can be wide or narrow. Leaf color can be blue, almost gray, or solid green. Some kinds have variegation so that a white stripe runs the entire length of the center of the leaf blade. There are types that have a green center stripe and white margins. There are even some with the stripes lying horizontally across the leaves.
Seed heads also come in a variety of forms and colors. Pampas grass bears large, soft plumes in either pink or white. Miscanthus (“Maiden Grass”) has a more open seed head with colors that range from silver to coppery, depending on variety. Pennisetum (“Fountain Grass”) has fuzzy, tan seed heads. Some types of tall ornamental grass have seed heads that rise on stalks high above the foliage.
Do not miss the opportunity to use tall ornamental grasses in your landscape. The size and variety of forms and colors make them irresistible. The hard part is choosing from so many beautiful varieties.
