Attention-grabbing grasses

The large Poaceae or grass family has all the plants with long, narrow leaves, including cereals and grass that is grown on lawns and in meadows. Varieties have been selected generally for the colour, shape and unusual appearance of their leaves, although occasionally for the shape of their seed heads. Planted in isolated clumps, they provide an elegant focal point while, en masse, they form an attractive backdrop for flowering perennials.

●Wait until early spring to cut back dead foliage. As well as being ornamental – many species of Poaceae are colourful in winter – the foliage protects the roots from the cold.

 

Most varieties of evergreen carex, molinia (Molinia caerulea) and the graceful tussock grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) form dense clumps that eventually cover heavy, wet or boggy soils.

 

There are two grass genera that are ideal for a full-sun spot with porous, sandy soil: Pennisetum and Stipa. The many species and varieties of Pennisetum and Stipa suit a variety of situations, and they have ornamental seed heads that look great in flower arrangements.

● The bright reddish Imperata cylindrica is a spectacular grass that sends up blood-red new shoots, which give it the common name of blood grass.

 

Ornamental grasses cascade over rocks or garden paths, or they billow out to screen unwanted areas. Most will last until the end of winter before they need cutting back and many develop interesting colours and seeds.

 

● The slender leaves and small size of clumps of ornamental fescues are welcome in any garden (most are only around 15–20 cm tall). Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) has tufts of blue foliage that looks good all year round. For an Australian native alternative try mingo grass (Themedia australis).