Ornamental Grasses Add Pizzazz

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Every landscape should include a nice selection of ornamental grasses. They are very easy care plants – generally only needing shearing back close to the ground in early spring. They like lean soil – no need to fertilize. They are reliably deer resistant and pest free. They provide a range of benefits in the landscape – e.g., they make useful screening for much of the year (unless they deteriorate from heavy snow or other conditions, they should be left standing through the winter to provide interest for people and wildlife) and they can function as a groundcover to keep weeds at bay and prevent erosion. They mostly thrive in sun and dry soil, but there are species that do fine in moist soil and some shade. The photos show examples of some of the smaller varieties – not necessarily plants used for large screening, but plants that can fit into most any landscape. They also perform nicely in containers.

Nasella tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass)

Grasses Muhly

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)

 

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ (Golden Variegated Sweet Flag)

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