Grass selections are becoming more exciting and fun to use in containers or to feature in garden beds, says gardening expert
Ornamental grasses are becoming the go-to plants to create interest in our late summer and fall gardens. They love the summer heat, are very drought tolerant once established, and their seed heads or plumes add a touch of magic as they dance in summer breezes.
Many new varieties have become available over the past few years, making grass selections far more exciting and fun to use in containers or to feature in garden beds.
The number one variety seems to be the narrow, architectural grass, Calamagrostis Karl Foerster which grows only five feet tall and is very slender, making it an ideal plant for narrow borders, small screens and container focal points. The variegated form of feather reed grass is C. Overdam. Growing a little more compact at four feet tall, its creamy white colouring matures with a pink flush, and its feathery plumes are very attractive. It, too, has a very thin shape.
Already we are seeing the bunny tail plumes of pennisetum grasses which add a nice colour to our summer gardens. Both Pennisetum Hameln and P. Little Bunny are very compact and fit nicely into late summer plantings of echinaceas and rudbeckias. P. Burgundy Bunny has green foliage which turns a rich burgundy at this time of the year for a stunning contrast in the landscape.
At this time of the year, the vibrant red leaves of Japanese blood grass, Imperata cylindrica Red Baron, are really something special to see, providing a brilliant touch of red in our summer landscapes. It is hardy to zone 5 and grows only 18 to 20 inches tall, and it becomes even more intensely red as we get into fall.
The schizachyrium family, often referred to as ‘little blue stems’, is becoming very popular. In midsummer, most of the varieties develop a few purple or burgundy leaves, which continue to multiply into the fall for a complete colour change. All these grasses are very hardy to zone 3, and they create a changing colour scheme. Schizachyrium scoparium Chameleon, for example, starts out as a beautiful variegated white and green showpiece, then completely changes its look as burgundy leaves begin to take over the variegation. It’s a remarkable transformation. Schizachyrium Blue Paradise begins as a silvery blue and in early fall transitions to a rich deep burgundy.
The panicum or switch grass family matures in a similar fashion. Varying in height from three to four feet, all of them are hardy to zone 4 and begin with blue-green foliage that turns to shades of purplish burgundy with beautiful seed heads. The Prairie Winds series offers a full range of fall colours.
With spectacular late summer and fall colour, andropogon grasses, too, offer a colour changeover. Andropogon Blackhawks is a prime example, turning from a rich blue to a deep burgundy.
The tall, spectacular plumes of miscanthus grasses will be showing up soon, adding their stunning fall drama to our gardens. They are also excellent for use as cut flowers.
So many varieties of grasses will add rich late summer and fall interest to our gardens. Discover how all these must-have grasses can elevate your garden and now is a perfect time to see them in all their glory.
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