Which ornamental grasses are needed for your landscaping?

Ornamental grass groups and our favorites.

Ornamental grasses include several plants. For example, papyrus. 

In other words, all the remaining plants generally form small clumps, and they are all grouped together in this large group commonly known as grasses.

There are two main categories: perennial grasses and annual grasses.

• Perennial grasses: Miscanthus, or Calamagrostis. 
• Annual grasses are grasses that complete their full life cycle from germination to death in autumn. We are talking about Pennisetum, for example, or others. 

Furthermore, there are other plants that can be added and incorporated into the potted arrangement.

Perennial grasses, trendy garden plants

So, when we talk about perennial grasses, we are talking about imposing plants, even though some are small in size. 

To begin, Calamagrostis, which is very popular and can be seen everywhere in parks or gardens. 

This plant, Calamagrostis Overdam, with its narrow, upright foliage and variegated green and white color, is a highly decorative plant.

The giant of perennial grasses is miscanthus: it is not invasive. Not all perennial grasses are invasive.

One of the grasses that is also decorative, this time for its foliage rather than its flowers, is Imperata cylindrica Red Baron. With its leaves that turn reddish, this plant is both modestly beautiful and elegant.

And finally, this grass with blue foliage, Blue Fescue. A plant that only produces small flower spikes, but which is sought after mainly for its foliage. It is easy to maintain and enhances its surroundings.

Annual grasses.

Annual grasses give us a very light or very structured appearance depending on how they are arranged. You can layer them with others, for example with small begonias, or for a more functional look, place them in pots on their own or arrange them together. 

The advantage of annual grasses is that they are very frost-resistant. They can therefore be kept for a long time, until autumn, or until the first snows.

In autumn, the begonias, etc., are damaged by the frost; simply cut them off and replace them with a beautiful small flowering autumn chrysanthemum, or a few decorative gourds and pumpkins to create a beautiful warm autumn pot, and keep the color until it snows.

Ornamental grasses are hardy plants that are easy to grow. 

Their outlines, leaves, and spikes exist and remain attractive almost all year round. Some of them are highly decorative even through winter. 

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' likes light colors and cool soil. During the summer, mulch should be applied to retain moisture because, like grass, it is a plant that requires a certain amount of moisture. 

It is advisable to remove a few plants that may become invasive. Maintenance is very simple: cut them to the ground in March/April, then wait... until the following year. 

They do not need winter protection. What we do is leave the thatch; the thatch will dry, lie flat on the ground, hold the snow, and prevent ice or rain from reaching the center of the plant and causing what is known as splitting.

Fertilizing grasses using fertilizers 

You can find these perennial plants in stores. You will find them in dedicated stores.

Also, to fertilize these ornamental grasses, use slow- and long-acting fertilizers based on natural raw materials that contain potassium.

Potted plants or plants in containers can be installed in the garden or on the patio from February/March to October; in mild climates, this can even be done throughout the winter.

You will truly enjoy having all these plants and filling your patios with grasses.