That ornamental grasses catch the breezes and sway in the wind is one of the best reasons to have them in the garden. Daisies, while pretty, just stay put. Grasses move, adding a fourth dimension to the garden—movement through time—showing off whenever the wind kicks up. Ornamental grasses are low-maintenance, and their texture and year-round colour, especially in the winter, is another plus. Winter interest of ornamental grasses is one of the single best reasons to add grasses to your garden, whether they are glowing copper in a winter sun, or arched over and covered in snow. Things to remember when considering grasses:
- full sun is usually needed for most tall, vertical grasses like ‘Karl Foerster’ (Calamagrostis acutiflora)
- part sun is fine for hakonechloa grass (Japanese Forest Grass)
- grasses look best when planted in larger groups, of at least three clumps
- grasses are part of the new, naturalistic style of garden, popularized by designer Piet Oudolf
- grasses have mounding, vertical or fan-like shapes, consider these shapes in your garden design
- grasses pair well with flowering perennials, like rudbeckia, coneflower, ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, and many others