Landscaping with ornamental grasses – 6 inspirational ideas to add height and movement to your yard

Ornamental grasses offer a visually appealing and relatively low-maintenance option for enhancing the fall landscape. Their foliage often undergoes a color transformation as days shorten and temperatures cool, with seed heads developing from summer to early fall and also changing in hue. When incorporating these grasses into a landscape design, planting them in groups is recommended. The appropriate number of plants depends on the landscape's size and the grasses' mature dimensions. Low-weeping varieties like muhly grass are effective when mass-planted to create expansive, colorful drifts. Larger varieties can serve as individual accent plants, introducing a different texture or color, or they can be integrated into perennial beds to vary the textural elements. Taller grasses can be utilized to form screens or backdrops, while smaller types are suitable for borders. Additionally, many ornamental grasses thrive in containers, particularly when combined with trailing flowering annuals. Their diverse textures and colors, coupled with their ability to sway with the breeze, imbue a garden with character and motion. Some grasses exhibit a stiff, upright growth habit, while others display a soft, weeping form. Newer varieties are often selected for their attractive, colorful flowers. Before choosing a grass for a landscape, it is essential to determine its mature size and whether it is deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous grasses typically die back in winter, changing colors before becoming straw-colored. In some areas, these deciduous varieties may be paired with evergreen plants to ensure continuous color throughout the winter months. It is also important to match the grass to the specific site conditions, considering its moisture requirements, and to confirm that the selected variety is not invasive, either by reseeding or spreading via runners. Ornamental grasses are categorized into clumpers and spreaders. Clumping grasses expand in size annually by forming new divisions but remain contained within their original area. Spreading grasses, conversely, propagate through underground rhizomes, extending in various directions. These spreading types are often employed as ground covers and are highly effective in stabilizing soil to prevent erosion. Pruning is a primary maintenance task for ornamental grasses. Deciduous grasses that turn straw-colored or brown in winter should be cut back to 4 to 6 inches in height just before spring growth begins, which helps prevent their centers from dying out. Evergreen grasses, however, require minimal pruning, mainly for the removal of brown leaves. Notable varieties include Pennisetum, with Fountain grass (_Pennisetum alopecuroides_) being a popular deciduous clumping grass known for its foxtail flowers and golden-yellow fall foliage, though some varieties reseed vigorously. The Hameln cultivar is recommended for its non-reseeding characteristic. Miscanthus, or Maiden grass, is another favored group, encompassing over 20 species and 50 cultivars. Japanese silver grass (_Miscanthus sinensis_) is a perennial clumping grass ideal for backgrounds, hedges, or screens, identified by a silver stripe down the center of its leaves. Cultivars range in height from 3 to 12 feet. Adagio is a rust-resistant cultivar suitable for the local area, reaching 4 to 5 feet with narrow silver-gray leaves, pink summer flowers that whiten with age, and yellow fall color. Other Miscanthus varieties include Cosmopolitan, Graziella, Morning Light, and Gold Bar, each offering unique characteristics in terms of height, foliage color, and bloom. Muhly grass (_Muhlenbergia capillaris_), a native grass, is admired for its blue-green to gray-green, threadlike leaves forming a compact mound. It blooms with a dense cloud of pink to purple flowers from October through November, best showcased when planted en masse. This tough plant thrives in hot, dry, sandy soils and is drought-tolerant once established, requiring full sun to light shade. Florida gamagrass (_Trisacum floridanum_) is another native evergreen clumping grass, maturing at 2 to 3 feet with a matching spread. While not known for showy flowers, it is valued for its salt and drought tolerance. Switch grass (_Panicum virgatum_), native to the southern United States, tolerates sun to partial shade and both dry and moist soils, growing 4 to 7 feet tall and displaying yellow fall color. Popular cultivars include Heavy Metal, Dallas Blues, Cloud Nine, and Shenandoah, each offering distinct foliage and seed head characteristics. Switch grasses are also salt-tolerant, making them suitable for coastal environments. Beach panic grass (_Panicum amarum_), another native, can reach 7 feet, prefers full sun, and is highly salt-tolerant, growing well in sand and aiding in dune stabilization. Availability may vary, with some unusual varieties found online. #OrnamentalGrasses #GardenDesign #FallLandscape #DroughtTolerantPlants #NativePlants #PlantCare #LandscapeArchitecture #GardenMaintenance

Ornamental grasses are versatile plants that can significantly enhance garden design by adding texture, motion, light, and sound. Rick Darke, an expert on ornamental grasses and author of "The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses," advocates for integrating these plants throughout the garden rather than isolating them. He suggests that grasses act as cohesive elements, blending diverse plants into a harmonious landscape. Unlike flower-centric borders, incorporating grasses introduces a dynamic quality, making the garden feel more unified and less like a collection of disparate elements. Western designers are adopting innovative methods to integrate grasses into garden schemes. For instance, Lew Whitney from Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar, California, uses grasses alongside shrubs in foundation plantings. These designs prioritize foliage over flowers, creating visually engaging, low-maintenance displays. Examples include pairing vertical grasses like blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) and pheasant’s tail (Stipa arundinacea) with dense, rounded shrubs such as apple green Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Compactum’. Additional texture and color come from plants like ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis). While colorful varieties like burgundy fountain grasses and bronze carexes are popular, some designers, such as Laguna Beach landscape architect Jana Ruzicka, prefer unvariegated greens like maiden grass and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) for a calmer aesthetic, especially in gardens near natural wilderness. Ornamental grasses serve multiple functions in garden design. For container gardening, they make excellent companions for annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents, and broad-leafed plants. They can also stand alone in striking containers, complementing the pot rather than competing with it. Blue lyme grass (Elymus arenarius ‘Glaucus’) in a weathered copper pot or eulalia grass (Miscanthus sinensis) mimicking the shape of an urn are examples. As ground covers, small tuft grasses like carex and festuca pair well with various plants. Ruzicka uses green Carex texensis with woodland plants, while Susanne Jett creates meadows with blue fescue, yarrow, and snow-in-summer, or Mediterranean-inspired mixes with fescue and succulents. For natural appearance, these grasses should be planted in clusters. Tall grasses, such as eulalia grass, serve as effective hedges and screens, providing boundaries and privacy while catching light and moving gracefully. Other suitable options include Calamagrostis acutifolia ‘Stricta’ and Molinia caerulea. Medium-stature grasses (3 to 6 feet) and low clumping grasses with tall flower spikes complement perennials and flowering shrubs. Recommended combinations include blue oat grass with yellow Mexican tulip poppy or true blue Salvia patens, feather reed grass with Russian sage or rudbeckia, Mexican feather grass with Santa Barbara daisy or lavender, and Oriental fountain grass with ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum or pink shrub roses. Pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) can be paired with asters or smoke tree. Caring for ornamental grasses is relatively simple. Most established grasses require weekly irrigation or less, and fertilization is generally unnecessary. They are also largely resistant to pests and diseases. Annual pruning in late winter or early spring, cutting them back to a few inches above the base when new growth appears, helps maintain their appearance. Division is required when clumps become too large or develop bare centers. While many nurseries carry local varieties, mail-order sources like Forestfarm, Digging Dog Nursery, Heronswood Nursery, and Plants of the Southwest offer a wider selection. Rick Darke’s "The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses" provides further detailed information. It is important to be aware of the invasive potential of certain grasses. Due to their prolific seed production and wind dispersal, some species can pose a threat to fragile wilderness areas. Gardeners are advised to choose native grasses or consult local extension offices to identify potentially invasive ornamental grasses in their region. Specifically, Arundo donax (giant reed) should be avoided in California and the Southwest, Cortaderia jubata (jubata grass) and C. selloana (pampas grass) in coastal California, and Pennisetum setaceum (green fountain grass) in Southern California and the Southwest. #OrnamentalGrasses #GardenDesign #Landscaping #PlantCombinations #ContainerGardening #GroundCovers #HedgesAndScreens #GardenCare #InvasiveSpecies

Outdoor spaces can be revitalized and made more functional and comfortable through various applications of outdoor fabric, extending beyond traditional throw pillows. Whether aiming to address faded cushions, uncomfortable seating, or a desire for enhanced privacy and aesthetics, outdoor fabrics offer durable and weather-resistant solutions for a range of DIY or professionally assisted projects. One effective way to transform an outdoor area is by hanging curtains. These can introduce tranquility to a sprawling veranda or provide privacy to a compact balcony, while their billowing movement creates a relaxed, vacation-like ambiance. When installing outdoor curtains, it's typically necessary to hang them from the ceiling, requiring careful measurement. To calculate the necessary fabric, add 15 inches to the desired curtain height and divide the total by 36 to determine the yardage, rounding up as needed. This project is considered intermediary in difficulty, suitable for those with experience in hanging curtain rods and basic sewing skills. Another option is to create custom table linens. While ready-made tablecloths are available, crafting unique ones from preferred outdoor fabric or remnants elevates the dining experience. Matching napkins, placemats, or a runner can further unify the aesthetic. A table seating six (approximately 36 by 60 inches) typically requires 3 yards of fabric. This is an easy DIY project, primarily involving sewing machine use to finish the edges. For worn-out outdoor upholstery, new fabric can significantly upgrade the appearance of even inexpensive furniture. A standard 75-inch sofa with four cushions generally needs about 8 yards of fabric, or 2 yards per cushion. Pool loungers require approximately 4 yards each, or 5 yards if the fabric features a pattern. Reupholstering cushions is an expert-level DIY task due to the precision required for measuring, fitting, and potentially incorporating piping for a professional finish; professional assistance is often recommended. To enhance comfort, especially for wrought-iron chairs, adding seat cushions is a practical solution. These can make outdoor seating significantly more plush, potentially transforming a terrace into a comfortable temporary workspace, provided there is adequate shade. One yard of fabric is generally sufficient for each chair. This project is easy, especially if using ready-made inserts and sewing simple covers with ties. Fabric can also be used to conceal unsightly furniture frames by creating skirts. Unlike tablecloths that cover only the top, skirts drape from top to bottom, effectively hiding bases. This can turn a console into a makeshift bar or buffet. To calculate fabric needs, measure the table's perimeter, multiply by 1.5, and divide by 36, then round up. For example, a 36-by-60-inch table with a 192-inch perimeter would need roughly 8 yards. This project is intermediary, requiring precision in attaching five fabric panels to ensure a proper fit and alignment with the ground. Finally, creating floor cushions offers versatile additional seating. These are portable and can serve as seats, small tables, or back support. They are particularly useful for urban dwellers utilizing rooftops or small outdoor areas. Smaller seat pillows require three-fourths of a yard per piece, while larger floor cushions need a full yard. This is an easy DIY project, involving sewing two square panels together and adding a zipper opening. These cushions are also suitable for use at the beach, park, or even a fire escape, offering comfort and flexibility for various outdoor settings. #OutdoorFabric #BackyardDecor #DIYProjects #HomeImprovement #OutdoorLiving #FabricCrafts

This article offers a comprehensive guide to transforming a backyard into a beautiful, functional, and inviting outdoor living space, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and practical convenience for entertaining and relaxation. It draws on expert advice from Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and Rebekah Zaveloff from KitchenLab Interiors, presenting 28 distinct ideas to elevate any backyard, regardless of its size. The initial recommendations focus on creating diverse seating arrangements, from intimate two-person spots to larger outdoor dining rooms, and incorporating a fire pit for warmth and ambiance. The importance of shade is addressed through aesthetically pleasing umbrellas and trellises that can also support climbing plants. Lighting is highlighted as a simple yet effective way to enhance the backyard's atmosphere, with suggestions for string lights, path lights, and discreet landscape lighting to create a warm and inviting feel. To blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, the article suggests adding outdoor cooking spaces, ranging from grills to full kitchens, and water features like bird baths or fountains to introduce soothing sounds and visual focal points. Material choices for defining spaces are also covered, recommending gravel or stepping stones to delineate seating areas from grass, reducing maintenance needs. The guide then delves into comfort and style with advice on incorporating soft furnishings like outdoor pillows, rugs, and throw blankets, and the strategic use of bistro tables for additional seating and serving areas. For relaxation, hammocks are presented as a space-efficient lounging option. Greenery and gardening are central themes, with ideas for fresh tablescapes, garden planters (including raised beds), window boxes, and the planting of fragrant flowers and visually striking vegetables to enhance the sensory experience and overall beauty of the space. The article also provides creative solutions for specific challenges, such as building a drop-down bar for convenience, training roses on wires for a cottage-garden look, and utilizing hanging plants for space-saving vertical gardens. Addressing climate control, it suggests creating canopies for shade in sunny backyards. For those with limited space, the guide offers solutions like small-scale upgrades such as custom-built hot tubs and the use of high-quality folding Adirondack chairs. Finally, for structural and aesthetic enhancements, it proposes adding archways to divide larger backyards and installing outdoor fireplaces as anchors for seating areas, offering a luxurious alternative to fire pits. Each idea is accompanied by practical tips and considerations, making the advice actionable for homeowners looking to upgrade their outdoor environments. #OutdoorDecor #BackyardDesign #OutdoorLiving #HomeImprovement #GardenIdeas #OutdoorEntertaining #LandscapeDesign #HomeDecor #DIYHomeProjects