Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any garden. They are a quick space-filler, they add privacy, provide year-round interest, and best of all, they are easy to grow.

There are many types of ornamental grasses to choose from and they range in size from 1 to 10 feet in height. One thing you should keep in mind when purchasing your plants is that, the taller the plant, the later the bloom time. If you have an 8 to 10 foot plant, you can expect it to bloom between late August to early September.

How tall your grass gets also depends on the amount of sun light received. Most varieties require full sun, with a minimum of six hours being ideal. There are some that are suited to shade, such as the Japanese Forest Grass which is quite popular. It has a gold leaf with a green vein and only grows to two feet in height. It is a very pretty grass that cascades naturally and looks lovely beside a water garden.

While most grasses are perennials, there are some that must be treated as annuals in our (Niagara/Hamilton Ontario) climate, so be sure to read the label, or ask for assistance, when you are making your selections.

Plant your grass in well-drained soil and water it well. Once established, ornamental grasses are drought tolerant due to their deep root system. Leave them as they are throughout the winter for visual interest and trim them down to approximately two inches above the crown in the early spring – late March to early April, depending on the weather.

Happy Gardening!

Sandy King

www.sandyking.ca

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