Luminous leaf blades that shift with every hour from dawn to dusk, tossed about by wind and lit by sun: ornamental grasses bring a wild lightness to plant beds, bed edges and terrace pots. They suit almost all climates and soil types, so give them an open, breezy spot and they will catch the eye all season.
These types of grass are very “trendy” and ornamental plants.
Make the most of this plant that is easy to care for to give your garden or terrace a 100% natural modern touch.
Although some plants have fallen into oblivion when it comes to composing plant beds, decorating edges or filling in pots on a terrace, herbaceous grasses are here to stay!
Recent times are on a quest for authenticity, connection to nature and simple, wild freedom. These callings have increased and now luminous grasses are showcased in our gardens and on our terraces.
No need to even mention cultivation, fertilizer and diseases, since grasses are extremely easy to care for.
They are perfectly suited to all climates, and, for the most part, to all soil types, too.
You’ll be bringing a touch of the wild to your garden, and wind and sun alike will join in on helping your grasses to catch the eye even more.
Leafage is changing and mirrors every hour of the day as it evolves from dawn to dusk.
Most of the grasses below are sold in ordinary garden centres, and several hold an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Pick on height first, then on whether you want foliage colour or flower plumes.
| Variety | Height | Main interest | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ | 25–30 cm | Steel-blue evergreen hummocks | Edging, gravel beds and containers |
| Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ | 50–60 cm | Hair-fine plumes that move in the least wind | Drifts in gravel and dry sunny beds |
| Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ | 60–80 cm | Soft bottlebrush flower spikes | Front of a border and large pots |
| Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ | 1.2–1.5 m | Stiffly upright blue-grey leaves, yellow in autumn | Prairie and naturalistic borders |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ | 1.5–1.8 m | Narrow arching leaves with a white midrib | Summer screen or back of a border |
| Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ | 25–30 cm | Cream-striped evergreen arching leaves | Shaded edges, pots and winter interest |
| Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ | 40–50 cm | Blood-red leaf tips that glow when backlit | Border pockets placed against the light |
Discover here different types of grasses that will endow your garden space with wind-loving playful nature, for a 100% modern touch!
