Ornamental Grasses

As Screens, Accent or Framing Pieces, Ornamental Grasses Have a Place in Your Garden

Sunday, 5th February, 2012 @ 08:16am
by Deborah Rankin

Most ornamental grasses grow best in average garden soil. If the soil is too rich in nutrients, the growth will be excessive and may cause tall specimens to get leggy and topple.

If your soil needs improvement, just add organic matter such as shredded leaves, leaf compost or peat moss. Other than transplanting solution, do not add fertilizer.

Most ornamental grasses are drought tolerant once established but newly planted specimens need to be watered while establishing their roots. Like most new plantings, watering deeply once a week should be sufficient.

Dividing ornamental grasses is important but can be a struggle. After several years, the center or crown of the plant tends to die out creating a doughnut-like effect. To keep the grasses healthy and beautiful, it is important to divide them. Grasses have very tough, dense root systems and are difficult to divide. Use a sharp spade to dig out the specimen by its roots, then, using the spade blade or a saw, divide the plant into sections. Discard the dead sections and replant each piece at the same depth and water well.

Grasses can be cut back in the fall, but look interesting through the winter. If waiting until spring, cut before the new shoots appear. To make the job easier, tie the tops of the grasses into manageable bunches and cut about three centimetres above the ground. For thicker, tougher stems, try using a pruning saw or hedge shears.