Pampas grass as an ornamental grasses
The use of grasses and grass-like plants in garden design is well established throughout the world. As they can solve a variety of design issues they are to be found in many different types of garden. While not specific then to dry climate gardens, ornamental grasses nonetheless provide the dry climate gardener with a number of exciting design options. These can be summed up as follows.
- Whether very low growing or billowing to 2 meters in height, they provide a sense of movement in the garden and a very definite vertical accent.
- By virtue of their feathery growth habit, a very clear texture is created in the garden composition, allowing ornamental grasses to function amongst broad-leaved plants as an emphasis element, or as a transitional element between fine textured plants, and courser textured ones. When placed amongst fine textured ornamentals which are not grass like, a subtle variation on the theme of delicate texture is created. In this way, two principles of good design are addressed — namely unity on the one hand (feathery texture) and variety (grasses and broadleaved plants) on the other.
- In dry climate regions where water is at a premium a few grasses can be dispersed in a bed of ornamental pebbles or wood chippings. With the addition of some stepping stones, such a configuration could replace a thirsty lawn and be aesthetically pleasing at the same time.
- They associate excellently with narrow leaved plants of outstanding sculptural value such as Yucca, Nolina, Dracaena, Phormium and Dietes. Therefore grasses of varying heights and shades can be massed to form the basis of a composition, playing a supporting role to a few special plants which function as emphasis elements. As the mass of grasses share a common leaf shape with the sculptural plants, the criteria of both unity and variety are again satisfied.
The diversity of ornamental grass through the following 3 grasses:
Pampas Grass commands attention as a magnificent clump ruling over the rest of the garden looking visually stunning. The plumage of the Pampas Grass can be quite showy with a choice of either white or pink and various shades in between sitting up to 12 feet tall. However, Pampas Grass must be carefully tended and is regarded as a noxious weed in some areas.
Muhly Grass can sit quietly in the garden blending in with its neighbours as an unremarkable looking plant that grows to a height of around 3 foot. Seemingly from nowhere comes an eye-catching display of pink-red inflorescence as the cotton candy flowers put on a late summer display.
Mondo Grass is a selfless little grass that works to highlight the attributes of other plants. It provides a lush green background canvas that offsets the more showy neighbours around it. Used as a groundcover or low border the can really define the tone of a garden.
Other popular ornamental grasses to consider include: Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Pennisetum, Northern Sea Oats, Zebra Grass, Fountain Grass, Blood Grass and Bunny Tails.
Ornamental grasses have many unexpected uses and is well worth considering when planning a new garden design. Whether using them as a ground cover, a striking floral statement or a border they will give the garden an added memorable elemental design.
As anyone who has ever lived in the snow belt can tell you, the first few weeks of winter is a dazzling sight with all the clean white snow and glittering ice. They will also tell you that as the weeks of winter turn into months the sight soon seems somewhat depressing and desolate. However, planting ornamental grass can change that feeling of desolation by offering residents in the snow belt areas glimmers of color and life in their frozen landscape as well as adding additional color and texture to their yard and garden all year round.
