Bed and Border
Live
Design & wildlife

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses can add a professional polish to a backyard, solving various design challenges such as privacy, softening hard landscaping, and adding movement to borders.

Ornamental grasses can add a professional polish to a backyard, solving various design challenges such as privacy...

Ornamental grasses are a great way to add a professional polish to a backyard, according to Gardening Know How. They can solve various design challenges such as privacy, softening hard landscaping, and adding movement to borders. With over 10 different types of ornamental grasses to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics, homeowners can find the perfect grass to suit their needs.

Types of Ornamental Grasses

There are many types of ornamental grasses that can be used to add a professional polish to a backyard. Some of the most popular types include Totem Pole Switchgrass, Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass, and Brush Strokes Little Bluestem. These grasses can be used to create a variety of different looks, from a naturalistic meadow to a formal garden.

Characteristics of Ornamental Grasses

Each type of ornamental grass has its own unique characteristics, such as height, width, and growth habits. For example, Totem Pole Switchgrass grows to be 6 feet high and 30 inches wide, while Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass grows to be 24 inches high and wide. Brush Strokes Little Bluestem, on the other hand, grows to be 36 inches high and 24 inches wide. Understanding the characteristics of each type of grass is important for choosing the right one for a particular design challenge.

Choosing the Right Ornamental Grass

Choosing the right ornamental grass for a particular design challenge can be overwhelming, but by considering the characteristics of each type of grass, homeowners can make an informed decision. For example, if a homeowner is looking to add privacy to their backyard, they may want to consider Totem Pole Switchgrass, which grows to be 6 feet high and can create a natural screen. On the other hand, if a homeowner is looking to add movement to a border, they may want to consider Brush Strokes Little Bluestem, which has a tidy upright habit and can add a sense of movement to a garden.

The following table summarizes the characteristics of some of the most popular types of ornamental grasses:

GrassHeightWidthGrowth Habits
Totem Pole Switchgrass6 feet30 inchesUpright, clumping
Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass24 inches24 inchesCompact, clumping
Brush Strokes Little Bluestem36 inches24 inchesTidy, upright
Common Blue Grama24 inches24 inchesCompact, clumping
Blue Fescue18 inches24 inchesNeat, non-running
Hello Spring Feather Reed Grass4 feet2 feetUpright, clumping
Aureola Japanese Forest Grass3 feet3 feetArching, spreading

By considering the characteristics of each type of ornamental grass, homeowners can choose the right grass to solve their design challenges and add a professional polish to their backyard. According to Gardening Know How, these grasses are all non-invasive and can be trusted to stay where they are planted, making them a great choice for homeowners who want to add some elegance to their garden without worrying about maintenance.

Related coverage

More from Design & wildlife