For drought tolerance and few pest problems, Ornamental grasses are a low maintenance, beautiful addition to your garden. Not only do they provide year around interest they require minimum care. This is a short list of what is available.
Types to choose fromClump forming, the slow expansion of a well-behaved perennial. Suitable for mixed beds. Rampant spreaders. Unsuited for a mixed bed because they take over and can choke out small and or slow growing plants. They are suitable for erosion control and where nothing else will grow. Ribbon grass and Lyme grass belong in this group.I have a Lyme grass in a 5-gallon pot (with drainage holes). Pot and plant go into the ground. It eventually outgrows the pot and needs to be dug up and divided.Grasses by height:
Six to eighteen inches:Blue Fescue which can spread by seed. This young Fescue can be transplanted if necessary. Blue Oat grass, taller than Blue Fescue with flat leaves. Unlike Blue Fescue, it is not favoured by rabbits and deer.Variegated Moor grass likes it a little cooler and moister.
Five to six feet:Karl Foerster which slowly increases in size and is easily kept in check with a sharp shovel.Overdam, a relative to Karl Foerster is a faster spreader and as well can be kept in check with a sharp shovel.
The movement they bring to the garden bed is lovely. Clipping in the spring to remove last year’s foliage is all they require for maintenance. Try one; there is a size to fit each garden.TipsIf you are not sure add one to an annual container and see what you think. If you like, it can be planted in the garden in the fall.The dried seed heads are attractive in containers in and outside.
