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Old School Green Design: Add Texture With Grass
Ornamental grasses capture the breeze and ripple like water in the landscape
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor based out of Hershey, PA. Come visit me at 'A Nest for All Seasons' where I write about design, photography and modern garden living!
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor... More »
Grasses can work as a hedge, focal plants, textural elements in a walkway or beautiful contrasts to existing structures. There are a host of grasses to choose from, some perennial and some annual, from purple to pink to white to green.
When designing with plants, color and form are the utmost considerations, after climate and growing conditions. Get inspired for a patch of waving grasses for your own yard from the range of textures and color in these gardens.
Browse photos of landscape designs
When designing with plants, color and form are the utmost considerations, after climate and growing conditions. Get inspired for a patch of waving grasses for your own yard from the range of textures and color in these gardens.
Browse photos of landscape designs
| Ornamental grasses are a somewhat acquired taste, and not everyone is a fan. However, they are a beautiful source of texture in the garden and offer a wide range of choices. Even if you don't like ornamental grasses, how could you not run your fingers along the edges of this Japanese silver grass as you walk down this path? |
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| This bench seems perfectly situated in a field of waving grass. Afloat in a field of wispiness, the strong lines of the bench contrast nicely. |
| Situating stronger plantings in the midst of a field of grass gives the illusion of floating trees. When the wind blows, the grasses dance around the tree trunks, tickling their feet. |
| Here, grasses are planted in bands of color with a lighter Mexican feather grass on the inside and a deeper green on the exterior. Situated at the bottom of a long stairway, the grasses look like a pool of water rippling in the breeze. |
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In this example, the long plumes bending over under their own weight evoke the look of a horse's mane and just beg to be touched! The curved line of the grasses is an excellent contrast to the straight, bold lines of the building behind.
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| This building's design also contrasts with the surrounding plantings of grasses. The sharp lines are lightened by the waving grasses and the round canopy of the trees. |
| Forgoing a lawn for a planting of short ornamental grasses is an excellent way to maintain a horizontal plane of green without weekly maintenance. Some ornamental grasses are strong enough to walk on, so research before you purchase based on your activity needs. |
Situating a clump of ornamental grass along a pathway is a wonderful way to experience the texture of the stalks and the plume. Allowing the grasses to lean over into a walkway gives the walker an even more visceral experience. Just be careful which grasses you choose. Some can have very sharp blades and would not be pleasant to walk near!
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by Shirley Bovshow
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| Some of my favorite ornamental grasses are the pink pampas and switchgrasses. The bright, wispy plumes of pink scream girlishness without the high maintenance of roses and delphiniums. Before you purchase grass plants or seed, make sure you check your state's invasive plant listings. Some ornamental grasses are considered noxious weeds in some parts of the country. |
Grasses can work as a hedge, focal plants, textural elements in a walkway or beautiful contrasts to existing structures. There are a host of grasses to choose from, some perennial and some annual, from purple to pink to white to green. When making your selections, be sure to consider climate, maintenance and growing conditions and avoid species that can be invasive in your area.
What kinds of ornamental grasses do you have in your landscape?
More: Feather Reed Grass
What kinds of ornamental grasses do you have in your landscape?
More: Feather Reed Grass
Comments
Gary Porter I love fountain grass and buffalo grass, not only for the kinetic element that they add to a landscape but the low maintenance. Supposedly they thrive with little water and rarely need to be mowed. Alas, we discovered last summer than not even native Texas prairie grass can stand up to a drought like the one we're experiencing now. And even if they do, you may find yourself re-thinking the situation after 2 or 3 years. Native grasses tend to take on a life of their own, and it may not work out as you intended.
17 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER Beautiful, AND you don't need to mow it.!!>>>>>
17 months ago · Like
Nell Jean My 3 favs: Cymbopogon, even the pets love Lemon Grass. Gulf Muhly, like cotton candy in the fall. Vetiver. We're far enough south that they come back from the roots; cold enough winters that Lemon Grass and Vetiver don't have time to set seed.
17 months ago · Like
ozkez Nah, sorry, makes me want to get out & mow it!!
16 months ago · Like
nnicolaisen Love it! It's great to go with native and/or drought tolerant grass, too. It's better for both the local birds and your water bill.
16 months ago · Like
Delia Krimmel I think the tall, wavy grasses work well in a very windy climate. Because then, the reeds actually become texture as they respond to the environment, the wind and move around. Otherwise, I see them as overgrown weeds since most people who plant them think they should just stuff boatloads everywhere and leave them unmaintained.
16 months ago · Like
sacapuntaslapioz Amy, what you identified as pampas grass are actually pink muhly grass. a native of the northeast US.
2 months ago · Like
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cheynatacoma Will you please tell us what all the different grasses are?
6 weeks ago · Like
blegenski We planted low mow grass when we built our home 5 years ago. We try to go organic because we are in the midwest and on a lake. The grass is supposed to bend over so you only mow 2-3 times per summer. Mixed reviews. More weeds than grass 3-4 years. It is finally now, after replanting many times, getting to look good. We use corn meal gluten to fertilize and somewhat control weeds! The ornamental grass thing is not a quick thing, to be sure!
2 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 12, 2012.
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