ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

True Grasses belong to the family Poaceae (syn. Gramineae)

Landscapers however often refer to grasses as any plants that have the appearance of grass: having long leaves and a clump forming growth habit.

In this broader sense, a grass garden can include plants that are not true grasses.

By adopting this broader definition, you are able to utilize a greater variety of plant affects to greater a “grass” garden.

 

Grasses and grass like plants create a very different visual affect to the type of garden we are so often used to seeing. A garden that is dominated by fine long leaves can create a “gentler” and more “relaxed” mood.

The affect of long arched leaves blowing in the wind can be even mesmerizing.

The Japanese identified this characteristic in grasses a very long timer ago; and have used bamboos widely in their gardens to create a mood of serenity.

 

Ornamental Grasses For Year Round Effect

Grasses provide a different effect at different times of the year.

With seasonal changes, grass foliage changes, and at times, flower heads emerge.

Flower heads may not be as brightly coloured as some plants; but they are graceful and can add a soothing element to any garden.

The fine texture of most grasses is a great contrast to most other plants commonly found in the garden.

 

Some grasses actually change colour in different weather conditions.

 

Changes in light conditions can also affect the appearance of grasses. Longer shadows in winter will make a grass garden appear different to how it looks in the brighter summer light.

 

Grasses are Diverse

Grasses are one of the largest families of flowering plants.  They range in size from tiny creeping or clumping species through to magnificent tropical bamboos.  There are many other different features:

·         Various foliage colours…red, blue, green and even gold tones

·         Thick and thin leaves

·         Upright and drooping foliage

·         Tall and low flower spikes

·         Different coloured flowers

·         Some are invasive; some are not

·         Some grow in very wet soil; some in dry

 

Ways to use Grasses In a Garden Grasses can be used for much more than just lawn: ·         Plant a whole garden or section of a garden with nothing but grasses ·         In pots/tubs as a specimen ·         As a border or hedge to contrast with plants behind ·         In the gaps between paving stones ·         In narrow garden beds ·         With broad-leaved plants as part of a mixed garden bed ·         To attract seed eating birds

 

 

An Introduction to Some of the Ornamental Grass Like plants you may grow:

 

Arthropodium

Arthropodium strictum– A reed like clump with chocolate scented mauve flowers in spring.  Can die down in summer

 

Bamboo

Bamboos are a diverse group of grasses.  They range from small types suitable for a pot through to towering giants.  Some have invasive roots, others form clumps.  The timber from bamboo is used for buildings, tools, and even the reeds used by saxophone players!

Bamboo requires rich, fertile soil and an annual addition of manure and compost. 

They can be propagated by division of the roots or from stem cuttings. 

A particularly stunning bamboo with– spectacular black stems is Phylostachys nigra 

Carex

Several named varieties of these reed like plants are available. Likes moist or wet position. Carex appressa– tall, tussock forming with yellow brown spikes in spring and summer Carex fascicularis– drooping spikes and bright green leaves

 

 

Cortaderia  (Pampas Grass)

A true grass: named varieties are available.

Dramatic specimen plants.

Plant in clumps of three or five.

Propagation by division.

Cortaderia selloana  -is an environmental weed in some areas; but a treasured ornamental in others.

 

Dianella (Flax Lily)

Has blue flowers in spring and early summer.

Dianella revoluta– colony forming clumping plant

Dianella tasmanica - large clumping plant

Festuca

A true grass, this genus includes blue coloured ornamental grasses. Most are low-growing, tussock forming grasses Most prefer a hot, sunny position, some survive in the shade. Border plants, perennial bedding plants.

 

Kangaroo Grass A true grass, tough, low-maintenance plant that thrives in a variety of soils throughout Australia.   Themeda triandra– clumping grass with attractive seed heads in late spring/early summer.

 

Lomandra

Known as mat rushes; these are suitable for dry sites.

Lomandra filiformis­ – clumping plant with greyish leaves and yellow flower spikes

Lomandra longifolia – spikes of yellow flowers in Spring and early summer

 

Micolaena      (Weeping grass)

Is suitable as lawn alternative in shaded sites.

Microlaena stipoides– spreading grass with soft texture and tall green flower spikes

Pennisetum  (Fox tail grass)

True grasses that grow best in full sun.   These are considered a weed in some localities (eg. parts of Queensland), but are a widely planted ornamental in many temperate climates.

 

Poas

These are true grasses. Group of hardy, large clumping native grasses . Prefer well-drained sites and full sun. Propagated from seed.   Poa bulbosa Poa australis– fine blue/green foliage Poa labillardieri– forms large clumps of fine pale foliage Poa sieberiana

 

Restio             (Cord Rushes)

Prefer wet sites.

Restio tetraphyllus­– large clumping rush with attractive red/brown flower tassels in spring and summer. A dwarf form suitable for small water gardens is also available. 

 

Wallaby Grasses

Group of perennial native grasses.

Prefer well-drained dry sites.

Propagated from seed.

Choinochloa pallida– wiry clumping grass with reddish flower spikes

Danthonia racemosa– tussock grass with cream/green seed heads

 

 

Xanthorrea sp.          (Grass trees or Blackboys)

Not a true grass: they prefer dry sites and well-drained soil.

Xanthorrea australis– spectacular small tree with black trunk and grass-like foliage

Xanthorrea minor– small grass tree without a trunk, suitable for small gardens and pots

NB.  Grass trees are often taken illegally from bushland areas.  Only buy grass trees from a reputable nursery. 

 

 

BAMBOOS

Bamboos have had a long landscape association in tropical and warm climates. They have been used for construction materials for centuries.

 

Stands of bamboos can provide an Asian feel of theme to the garden, whether small or large varieties are used.

 

Clumping types produce tight stands of bamboos, relatively easy to maintain and good to use for most landscape jobs.

 

Running types have been known to escape into other properties and can be very difficult if not almost impossible to contain.

 

For most landscape jobs, clumping forms are the preferred bamboos to use.

 

Landscape use of Bamboos

Classic Chinese design places running bamboos at a distance to provide a vivid background due to its fine texture. Clumping bamboos were placed predominantly in the foreground, with a few placed between fore and background to harmonise the arrangement.

 

Clumped bamboos are best scattered sparsely over a landscape, not evenly positioned.

 

The number of culms left to grow and develop in the clump may affect the density of the clumps appearance. If too thick, it may cut out attractive views. If too thin, it may allow too much breeze through. A balance needs to be established, which will be different for each landscape location.

Thinning may also lighten the landscape by allowing light to permeate to the ground.

 

Running bamboos can be used to make hedges whereas clumping groups are best used as a standard tree specimen.

 

Paths which pass through a bamboo grove were called 'Bamboo Paths' according to ancient Chinese landscape architects. They are perfect cool zones to escape hot summers.

 

A classic location near pond or river banks, or near rocks tend to emphasis the structure of the bamboo and the surrounding features.

 

In domestic gardens serious consideration should be given to pest potential of the bamboo. If running types are desired, ensure planting location is far enough away from services and structures and that there is some kind of solid structure in the ground to control stolons. Bamboo has been known to come up through slabs of concrete. Placing running bamboos in pots raised above the ground can aid control.

 

Botanical Name	Common name	Bamboo Group/Type	Height	Culm Features	Leaf Features
Arundinaria anceps	-	Running	up to 4m	shiny green to matt green-brown	narrow and short
Bambusa eutuldoides	Dai Ngan	Clumping	12m	erect, dense
Bambusa glaucescens	-	Clumping	8m	matt yellow	Medium green
Bambusa heterostachya 'Variegata'	Variegated Malay Dwarf	Clumping	3m	Silver stripped
Bambusa 'Alphonse Karr'	Yellow Stem Hedge	Clumping	8m	Green with yellow stripes
Bambusa 'Golden Goddess'	Golden Goddess	Clumping	4m	Golden colour when mature	Medium green
Bambusa 'Riviereorum'	Chinese Goddess	Clumping	3-4m	Yellow	Fern-like
Bambusa oldhamii	Oldham's Sweetshoot	Clumping	10m	Straight	Dark green broad
Bambusa textilis var gracilis	Slenders Weavers	Clumping	5m	Thin-walled, slender	Small
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'	Painted	Clumping	15m	Yellow with green stripes	Dark green
Dendrocalamus latiflorus	Sweet	Clumping	24m	Straight green	Large dark green
Drepanostachym hookerianum	-	Clumping	6m	Stripes of yellow, pink, pale green and cream	Green to 30cm long
Gigantochloa sp	Timorgiant Black	Clumping	20m	Mature to dark purple
Gigantochloa apus	String	Clumping	20m	Dark grey-green	Huge green
Gigantochloa atter	-	Clumping	20m	Straight green
Indocalamus tesselatus	-	Clumping	1m	Arching stems	Big shiny matt dark green
Otatea acuminata var azetecorum	Mexican Weeping	Clumping	15m	Slender black	Long narrow attractive
Phyllostachys aureosulcata	-	Running	10m	Mature to yellow	Small green
Phyllostachys humilis	-	Running	5m	Grey-green
Phyllostachys nigra		Running	5m	Mature to shiny black and arched	small
Pleioblastus fortunei		Running	40cm	Green	white and green striped
Pseudosasa japonica		Running	3.5m	Green	Shiny, leathery
Sasa veitchii		Running	1.5m	Dark green to light green	Dark wide green
Schizostachyum brachycladum	-	Clumping	13m	Erect yellow with green stripes
Schizostachyum jaculans	-	Clumping	8m	Tight culms	Abundance of green
Semiarundinaria fastuosa	Column	Running	7m	Erect, green to dark brown
Thalmocalamus tesselatus	-	Clumping	2-4m	Erect, almost reddish in full sun	Blue-green
Thrystachys siamensis	Monastry	Clumping	13m	Delicate erect	Attractive fine

 

GARDEN DESIGN COURSES

Learn more about different garden types by taking a garden design course with Australian Correspondence Schools. Study for pleasure or for an internationally accredited qualification to advanced diploma level. With over 130 horticultural courses to choose from, you are sure to find something of interest. For further information or a free course handbook http://www.acs.edu.au/Courses/Landscaping-courses.aspx