When you hear the word 'grass', do you think 'green'? Do your thoughts turn to thick, emerald carpets of sod and the scent of freshly mown lawn? True, there's no denying the beauty of a sprawling, verdant estate, but it certainly isn't the only way to grow grass. For modern gardeners, what started as a trickle of interest in plume-producing, ornamental grass for perennial borders little more than a decade ago, has steadily evolved into a huge, ecologically-driven, garden style trend. And why not? Many grasses and their horticultural kin make fantastic, low-maintenance landscape plants that perform beautifully under a variety of conditions, from parched desert lots in western suburbs and windy, urban rooftops, to marshy meadows and dappled woodlands. Sustainable gardens filled with grass and native companion plants are an environmentally responsible alternative to conventional lawns. And with an almost endless variety of textures, forms, colors, and sizes to choose from, grasses are a garden designer's dream.
I have several adventurous, ecologically-minded landscape clients this year, and I am excited by their interest in lawn alternatives. A couple of weeks ago, I met with a new pair of design clients for the first time, and after looking over their existing space, I asked if they were familiar with ornamental grasses. When they responded by pulling out a copy of Nancy Ondra's book, Grasses, I knew that we were going to have some fun together. Because they'd already spent some time ogling the gorgeous photographs in Ondra's guide to these versatile plants—taken by award winning photographer Saxton Holt—my clients were already familiar with the season-spanning design possibilities of ornamental grass. Flame grass, (Miscanthus purpurascens), which turns brilliant orange in autumn, figures prominently in their new landscape design; created to bring bold new color to their home's dramatically dark facade. Other grasses, in vibrant gold and icy blue hues, round out the minimalist planting plan; which emphasizes easy-care, and four-season-design interest.
Maintaining sod in dense shade or baking sun is time consuming, difficult, and expensive. For these reasons alone, many of the busy home owners I work with are looking for other options. Ground covering plants, such as shade tolerant Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and sun loving blue fescue (Festuca glauca) are a much better choice for shady courtyard gardens and hot, sidewalk bound front yards. Expanding further on the subject of Nancy Odra's Grasses, is a spectacularly beautiful new release, The American Meadow Garden, by award winning California horticulturalist and nurseryman John Greenlee. Once again, a dynamic and inspirational garden writer has joined forces with the brilliant photographer Saxon Holt to create an absolutely fantastic landscaping title. Filled with all the design ideas and cultural information a gardener could hope for, The American Meadow Garden is the ultimate resource for anyone designing a grass garden or planning to convert from a traditional lawn to a more natural, sustainable alternative.
Does your garden include ornamental grass? I'm already a fan of these swinging, swaying beauties, and I take pleasure in them daily in my garden. How about you, are you a grass aficionado?
Michaela grew up gardening, studying plants, and picking organic produce on the family farm. When she isn't spreading compost or pruning shrubs, she can usually be found writing articles or giving seminars on all things gardening. Michaela has worked as a gardening professional for 15 years and is author of the popular blog, The Gardener’s Eden.
Thanks Becke. I do love grasses, and this book from Timber Press is such a knock-out. I know you will love it. One of my favorite ways to relax is sitting out on the deck at the end of the day, running one of my hands through the potted grass on my deck... And staring out at the horizon. Talk about meditation - it's the best stress reliever I know!
