Decorative grass plumes sway in the summer sunlight.
A garden with an undulating surface of gravel mounds and dry creek beds of decorative stones is an attractive setting for xeriscape plants. A lush, green setting with purposefully placed mounds and dips displays a visually larger area than its square footage. Ornamental grasses provide textural and vertical interest to such landscapes or gardens, especially contributing to dimensionally interesting settings. Many varieties have decorative swaying floral plumes that catch the summer light. Does this Spark an idea?
Xeriscape Grasses
Indian ricegrass is attractive when planted among wildflowers in xeriscape schemes. This perennial bunchgrass has flowering stems, and its seeds attract birds. Native prairie grasses, such as little bluestem, grow 2 to 4 feet tall. June grass, Western wheatgrass and needle grass are natives for decorative accenting in the xeriscape garden. Water requirements are according to native locale. In general, taller grasses require more water. Native bunching and prairie grasses planted on mounds add interest and variety to the xeriscape garden.
Grasses for Moist Areas
Among the most widely grown ornamental grasses is maidengrass. Silver flower tassels last into winter, extending seasonal interest. Improved varieties developed for earlier blooming, showier flowers and improved plant stature are regularly introduced. Named cultivars include Morning Light, a fine-textured, clumping grass with variegated leaves that glow in morning sunlight. Feather reed grass looks similar to wheat, growing in upright clumps with green, vertical flower spikes in summer. Northern sea oats, Korean feather reed grass and tufted hair grass tolerate shade.
Turf Grasses for Mounds
Buffalo is a water-wise perennial grass with a low-growing habit. This soft, gray-green lawn grass is durable and needs little or no mowing. Birds feast on its seeds. It needs some watering in very dry climates. Named varieties include Prestige, especially bred for hot, humid climates, and UC Verde, designed for the dry desert Southwest. The Kentucky bluegrass Bella was developed to stay short without mowing, making it suitable for growing on mounds. It is drought tolerant.
Annual Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental annual grasses create a lively display for one-season interest. Use these temporary grasses on and around mounds to experiment with colors and textures before deciding on permanent plantings. Alternatively, vary the scene from year to year. Dwarf pampas grass is smaller and somewhat more cold hardy than is its larger, tender relative. It grows as an annual in cold-winter regions. Ruby grass Pink Crystals has blue-green foliage from which emerge ruby-pink plumes of feathery blossoms in the early summer. The flowers age to white and are useful in fresh or dried floral arrangements. Feather top has bright-green leaves and silky, green flowers resembling rabbit tails. The flowers age to a creamy white. Purple Majesty millet has dark, burgundy-purple foliage and purple flower stalks. Use this tall grower around and beside mounds as a striking accent.
Tags: grass with, Grasses Mounds, prairie grasses, reed grass, xeriscape garden