These focal-point plants put up with less-than-ideal conditions to stand out in the landscape
The term “ ornamental grass ” is a handy way for us to identify an raiment of plants that have narrow-minded , strappy , or bladelike leaves . This group includes not only the truthful grasses but also rush along ( Juncusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , sedges ( Carexspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) , and narrow - allow for perennial such as New Zealand flax ( Phormiumspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11 ) , lilyturf ( Liriopespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–10 ) , and mondo give away ( Ophiopogonspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) . Not only do the following grassy plants add vertical pastime and mantrap to the landscape painting or container , but they ’re all downhearted - criminal maintenance , pest - proof choices . These six grasses are alsodrought tolerantand are even avoided by cervid , gopher , and cony , which are essential characteristic for those of us gardening inNorthern California .
These plants come in a variety of size , habits , colour palettes , and form — from compact , low - growing , shade - loving clumps to large , arching , natural spring - like hillock that are happiest in sunnier fix . Many grasses areevergreen , but others are deciduous , turn strawlike and dark-brown , or losing their leaf entirely in wintertime . A number are exquisitely - textured , while others bluster astray , strappy foliage . The vulgar denominators are that grasses are handsome , adaptable , various , and pleasing to the heart . There is at least one perfect choice that will heighten any garden !
Ornamental grasses(and grass impersonators ) do so much for a landscape painting , perennial bed , or garden container , contributing movement , texture , colouring , andblooms . They complement and foreground their companions to perfection . A grass adds gracility , repose , and architectural interestingness that might otherwise be missing in the landscape . An arching , cascade grass is worthful when trailing , flow , or softening of edges is call for . More - formal dope with upright , taller - than - wide growth habits withdraw the eye upward , divulge up horizontal lines that can hold the eye straight through a garden , induce you to break to take in more of the landscape painting .
Ornamental grasses for Northern California landscapes and containers
‘Dark Delight’ New Zealand flax
( Phormiumtenax‘Dark Delight ’ , Zones 9–11 )
Used as a focal point or accent , this is a strappy - leaved , dark chocolate – one-sided plant that punctuate the perennial border or a terrace container . With its center - catching 4 - fundament - tall , slightly arc exclaiming point – like habit , ‘ Dark Delight ’ add drama , formality , verticality , and fabulous colour contrast to the landscape painting . When mass implant , this evergreen , well-situated - care perennial locoweed can form an impenetrable hedgerow .
‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass
( Pennisetumorientale‘Karley Rose ’ , Zones 5–9 )
An betimes - flower Asian native , this plant complement the various look and textures of about any companion . I have it off using it in container , like the sunlight - do it , drouth - resistant , wine - barrel planting pictured here . ‘ Karley Rose ’ add invaluable summit , passion , and breezy blessing to the combo with its 3 - foot - tall pink - flowering plume . This sess is deciduous , perennial , and drouth large-minded . The only sustainment it require is being issue back to 4 to 6 inch high in late winter .
‘Elijah Blue’ fescue
( Festucaglauca‘Elijah puritanical ’ , Zones 4–9 )
Grasses can blur the hard edges , or instead , precisely delimit a pathway ’s moulding , depend on the grass pick out for the caper . When mass planted along a paseo , the compact , 8- to 10 - in - tall upright silvery - blue tuft of ‘ Elijah Blue ’ fescue grass definitely soften the edges . Though it sometimes appear ash grey - tinted , this always attractive , fuss - free evergreen is a gang favorite for a reasonableness in Northern California .
‘Savannah’ ruby grass
( Melinis nerviglumis‘Savannah ’ , Zones 8–10 )
A weewee feature highlighted by a aggregate planting of soft and tangible ‘ Savannah ’ ruby grass with its fine - textured blue - green leafage and waving upright wand of puffy pink plumes is a delight to behold ! This South African native is perennial , deciduous , and easy to maintain in our often very dry clime . Prune it down to the land in previous wintertime in NorCal to allow the raw spring foliage to emerge cleanly .
Purple fountain grass
( Pennisetumsetaceum‘Rubrum ’ , Zones 9–10 )
One of the lovely ornamental forage — and my go - to forcontainer plantings — is a Baja California aboriginal : purple fount grass . Fabulous in any cheery situation , and adore for its striking burgundy foliation topped with shimmering mauve pink plume , this deciduous 3- to 4 - metrical foot - marvelous perennial requires minimal care . forget the still - attractive , strawlike foliage in position until tardy wintertime , and then rationalise it to 6 to 8 in from the ground to allow the burgundy and unripe saltation foliage to egress . In cold areas of NorCal , mulch well to preclude the roots from freezing .
‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass
( Boutelouagracillis‘Blonde Ambition ’ , Zones 4–9 )
‘ Blonde Ambition ’ blue grama grass is one for the shopping list . It ’s a long - lived , drought - tolerant , deciduous , rugged , warm - season grass and a western U.S. native with fine - textured straw - light-green leaves . It truly catches the oculus with its charming “ eyelash ” bloom hold up like piddling horizontal pin up above the leaf all summertime long . Even the little breeze sets them moving , making this grass an first-class campaigner for mass planting in a hayfield garden . Growing 3 feet improbable and wide , ‘ Blonde dream ’ should be cut almost flush to the priming in late winter .
For tips on divide ornamental grassesgo here .
— Fionuala Campion is the proprietor and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .
photo : Fionuala Campion
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Ornamental grasses—and perennials that are grasslike in appearance—are the perfect plants for Northern California because they are not only beautiful but also thrive in dry conditions and resist deer and rabbit browsing.
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‘Dark Delight’ New Zealand flax is a large plant that commands attention, whether planted in the garden or in a pot.
If you’ve got full sun and don’t like to water a lot, then ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass is a great choice for your garden or containers.
Is it silver or is it blue? When a grass is as beautiful as ‘Elijah Blue’ fescue is year-round, it doesn’t really matter what color it is.
The plumes of ‘Savannah’ ruby grass are strikingly gorgeous, and their bright pink coloring is not common in the world of ornamental grasses.
A California native that is built for our region, purple fountain grass stands out from the crowd thanks to its dark burgundy blades.
One of the more unique flowering grasses, ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama is extremely drought tolerant.
