I think ornamental grasses are probably an acquired taste. When I first started gardening myself, I was definitely drawn to anything that flowered, and like a child in a sweet shop, the more flowers the better, and the bigger and brighter they were, the more I liked them. It took a while for me to appreciate the part played by foliage in the scheme of things, not to mention form, shape and structure, and that’s no bad thing – it’s all part of the wonderful journey of discovery that accompanies an entry into the great gardening world.
As time went on and I started studying horticulture, I began to see how leaves, stems and bark all contribute to the character of a plant, and how different shapes can add rhythm, interest and longevity to a planting scheme. Grasses were probably the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place – after all, when you’re Irish and grass is pretty much everywhere, an ornamental form of it has to be pretty special to get your attention.
But some of them are, and now it’s rare for me to produce a planting plan that doesn’t feature grasses (or sedges, pretty much the same for garden purposes ) somewhere in the mix. Evergreens are my favourites, as my naturally thrifty soul can’t resist something that looks good for twelve months of the year. I’m inclined to think that our climate suits them too. So here are a few of my favourites to bring movement, shape, and colour to your borders:
Carex testacea: - an evergreen sedge, growing to about 60cm with an elegant arching habit, best planted in groups with contrasting shapes. Winter sees bronze tones coming out to join the deep olive green leaves.
Anemanthele lessoniana – also known as Pheasant’s Tail grass for it’s glorious combination of russet, browns and greens, it will reach a metre or so within a couple of years. Often short lived, but well worth its place.
Hakonechloa macra – deciduous with a spreading habit, super in contemporary planting schemes.
Anne’s Tip of The Week:
You can ‘comb’ through evergreen grasses in late winter/ early spring - with gloved hands or a rake depending on size – to pull out dead leaves and leave the plant looking fresh and smart for the new season.
Anne Byrne Garden Design provides easy to follow Garden Plans that you can implement right away or in stages. Anne’s design flair and passion for plants brings a touch of magic to gardens of all sizes.
Anne Byrne Garden Design – Creative Ideas – Practical Solutions – Stunning Gardens
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