Benefits
Regardless of the weather, ornamental grasses are your garden problem solvers.
- Basically free of pests and diseases.
- Hardy, sturdy, and durable. (Make sure that the grass is rated for your zone)
- Provide FORM, COLOR, TEXTURE, and MOTION, as described in the preceding section.
- They make a great transition between the native landscape and a cultivated garden.
- Can be container grown.
- Birds will benefit from the grasses in your yard. They like to use the leaves for nesting materials, and they eat the seeds.
- Don’t have to mow it!
Uses For Ornamental Grasses
Nature plants grasses where ever they can grab a strong hold. Gardeners might want to exercise a little more planning so that the selected grasses compliment the garden. Consider the following uses to spark interest in your garden:
- Border/edging planting
- Background planting
- Specimen planting
- Living screen planting
- Groundcover planting
- Mass plantings
- Containers and tubs
Winter Care
Perennial grasses do not need cut down before winter. They are attractive when left standing, and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant. Cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in the spring before growth resumes.
Division
Division depends on the spacing and visual appearance of the plants as well as the overall health. Plants suffering from die-out in the center should be divided to improve appearances. Division is done in the spring before growth resumes or in the late summer or fall after the growing season.
