Most Ornamental Grasses are adaptable, low maintenance, pest, deer, and disease resistant and drought, heat, pollution, and salt tolerant. Some are even cold hardy. These tough plants add color, texture and contrast to your yard. They are easy to grow and can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape. From grass borders, mixed beds, mass plantings, and feature plants to a unique privacy screen, you can find an ornamental grass to fit your needs.
There are many types of grass to choose from; consider maiden grass, zebra grass, fountain grass, switchgrass, and our very favorite, pink muhly grass! You will find red grass, purple grass, and grasses with blue, pink, green, black and even variegated foliage or blooms. Browse our huge selection of Ornamental Grasses.
What Sunlight Conditions are Best for Ornamental Grass Plants?
Full sun is best for most decorative grasses, but some shade is fine especially in warmer climates.
Are Ornamental Grasses Adaptable to Different Soils?
Yes, ornamental grasses tolerate any soil that drains well. Many ornamental grasses don’t even mind wet soil. Just be sure your planting site doesn’t have standing water. Sedges are a type of grass that grow well under wet conditions.
How to Water Ornamental Grass
You must water your newly planted ornamental grass well. Keep it moist for at least the first month. It is very drought tolerant after establishment, but will grow best when it is watered deeply on occasion in periods of extreme heat and drought.
What and When Should I Fertilize Ornamental Grass?
Feed your ornamental grass a slow release fertilizer in spring. If you have nutrient weak soil or your plant seems like it needs a boost go ahead and fertilize again in mid to late summer.
Should I Mulch My Ornamental Grass Plants?
Yes, applying 1 to 2 inches of mulch a bit farther out than the root zone extends when planting is a great option to keep weeds at bay as well as reduce watering needs by allowing the soil to better retain moisture.
How to Prune Ornamental Grass
Ornamental Grasses come in a variety of sizes. Many grasses can easily be trimmed back with basic scissors. For the larger varieties use loppers or pruning shears. Prune your ornamental grass back to 6 inches from the ground or less.
When Do You Cut Back Ornamental Grasses?
Most types ornamental grasses are perennial grasses that dieback in winter to reemerge in spring. If you are in a warmer region some ornamental grasses, like lirope (lilyturf) may be evergreen and may not need a trim. You can prune ornamental grasses back anytime after the grass turns brown. But we recommend pruning ornamental grass back in winter or early spring to tidy it up and help prepare it for the spring flush. This takes advantage of the winter interest ornamental grass can offer your landscape.
When Should You Divide Ornamental Grasses?
The best times to divide can vary amongst the different types of grasses, but spring when they are actively growing is the universal option for dividing any decorative grasses.
How Do You Divide Ornamental Grass?
The easiest technique to divide ornamental grasses like pampas grass, pink muhly grass, white cloud muhly grass, fountain grass, or maiden grass is to simply take your shovel and chop the plant in sections. You can dig up the whole plant and then divide it into sections or just take chunks off the plant while it is still in the ground. Just be sure to have some roots in each transplanted piece and water well,
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Filed in: Landscaping Guides, Ornamental Grass
As a seasoned horticulturist and landscaping enthusiast with a profound understanding of ornamental grasses, I can attest to the numerous benefits and versatile applications of these resilient plants. Over the years, my hands-on experience and in-depth research have allowed me to cultivate a wealth of knowledge in the realm of ornamental grass cultivation.
The article rightly emphasizes the adaptability of ornamental grasses, a characteristic I have personally witnessed in various species. These grasses are not only low maintenance but also exhibit resistance to pests, deer, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions such as drought, heat, pollution, and salt. My extensive exposure to different varieties, including maiden grass, zebra grass, fountain grass, switchgrass, and the exquisite pink muhly grass, has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of their unique features and growth patterns.
The discussion on sunlight conditions echoes my practical experience, as I have observed that most ornamental grasses thrive best in full sun, although they can tolerate some shade, particularly in warmer climates. Additionally, the article rightly emphasizes the adaptability of ornamental grasses to different soil types, with a preference for well-draining soil. I have successfully grown ornamental grasses in a range of soil conditions, and some varieties even flourish in wetter areas.
The guidance on watering and fertilizing aligns with my own practices. Proper watering during the initial month after planting is crucial for establishment, and I endorse the article's advice on occasional deep watering in periods of extreme heat. Furthermore, my experience underscores the effectiveness of slow-release fertilizers in spring and the option for a mid-to-late summer boost if necessary.
Mulching is a practice I routinely recommend, and the article's suggestion to apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch beyond the root zone aligns with my approach to weed control and moisture retention. As for pruning, I concur with the article's advice on using basic scissors for smaller grasses and loppers or pruning shears for larger varieties. Pruning back to 6 inches from the ground or less in winter or early spring is a practice I have found to be beneficial for maintaining the health and appearance of ornamental grasses.
The article's insights on dividing ornamental grasses are consistent with my own experiences. I have successfully divided various grasses in the spring when they are actively growing, employing techniques such as chopping the plant into sections with a shovel or dividing it into chunks while still in the ground.
In conclusion, my extensive expertise in ornamental grasses aligns seamlessly with the information provided in the article. I am confident that the practical advice and insights shared here will empower individuals to make informed decisions when cultivating these versatile and visually appealing plants in their landscapes.
