Ornamental grasses are a gorgeous trend in gardening, they are a fantastic solution for dry and hot climates, for those who don’t like a lot of maintenance and for those who don’t like blooms. Grasses are sure to add interest, fill in the blank spaces without much care. What other advantages do they have? Let me tell you.
Ornamental Grasses Advantages
Ornamental grasses are a gorgeous solution in terms of landscaping: they look modern, fresh and not hacky. They can be easily integrated into various gardens, from minimalist to classic ones and rocked in xeriscapes. They can be grown in hot and dry climates and don’t require much maintenance. Grasses are an easy to grow alternative to lawn, and they don’t require mow. Tall ones are great to separate spaces and add privacy if needed. Grasses look lovely with anything, from greenery and blooms to trees and cacti.
Popular Ornamental Grasses
The most popular ideas are Pampas grass, Reed grass (there are lots of varieties and they are all great), Foxtail, Bluestem, Blue Fescue, Purple Fountain, Ravenna, Japanese forest grass and many others. You can choose various kinds according to your climate and conditions and your needs: whether you want tall grass for privacy or just some low grasses for a catchy look.
Big Bluestem is a nice bold and tall type of grass that can be integrated into many gardens and infuse them with color.
Blood grass is a bold solution: it's not tall but its color is seen from a long distance.
Feather Reed Grass is a very popular choice when it comes to grasses, it's quite tall, textural and isn't too much in your face.
Japanese forest grass is a nice solution for many gardens, it's not tall and it looks lovely.
Foxtail is a lovely idea that will stand out no less than any flower in your garden.
Maiden Grass is a delicate type of grass that is still tall, so it can be used for privacy.
Mexican Feather Grass is a bold and textural solution for a drought-tolerant garden.
Pampas grass is a timeless idea that always works: it never goes out of trend and it is tall enough to be grown for privacy.
Purple Fountain Grass is a bold solution with plenty of texture, it doesn't need any other plants around as it's a statement itself.
Ravenna is a delicate solution with fluffy parts, a nice idea for a dry and hot climate.
Reed grass is timeless classics that works perfect in modern and boho gardens thanks to its height and bold look.
Silvergrass is a lovely textural backdrop for bright flowers like these ones.
Stipa gigantea is a tall and textural type of grass that provides privacy where needed.
Grasses look cool in rock gardens, this is a very natural solution for a dry climate.
Where To Use Ornamental Grasses
As I mentioned above, ornamental grasses work everywhere, from minimalist to classic garden. You can grow them in your front yard to bosst curb appeal without maintaining it much, or add them in front of your windows to get more privacy. You can make garden borders with grasses or line up walkways and stairs. Divide spaces in your garden with grasses and skip the lawn using grass. Pair up your grasses with all the plants you like: skinny trees (big trees will block sun, which grasses need), shrubs and blooms, cacti and succulents. My favorite combos are neutral grasses dotted with bright flowers – that’s what looks spectacular! By the way, ornamental grasses look cool in rock gardens, too. Get inspired!
This is how you can pair up blooms and grasses, and flowers will stand out a lot in the backdrop of neutral grass.
The lush and textural garden features pink and purple blooms and tall grasses, mainly Pampas.
Blue Fescue is a unique solution: besides its texture, it features an unusual blue shade that will definitely catch an eye.
The walkway is lined up with bold blooms and some neutral grasses integrated for texture and to give a modern look to the space.
The contemporary front yard shows off several types of grasses and a single tree, this is a laconic and cool combo.
Style your front yard with grasses as they are low-maintenance and instantly elevate the look of the yard making it modern.
Grasses can be paired with blooms or with nothing to style a front yard, most of grasses look awesome themselves.
Don't hesitate to pair blooms and grasses: your flowers will stand out a lot in a neutral textural backdrop.
This is a drought-tolerant garden styled wih grasses and some green hedge.
Line up stairs in your garden with some grasses that will also gently divide the spaces.
This contemporary front yard has it all: texture, color, variety and different heights and looks adorable.
Pair up grasses and leafy plants, which will look gorgeous in such a backdrop.
This garden is a low-maintenance space with native plants and some grasses that can live in the environment.
Grasses and flowers are always a gorgeous combo that works for modern spaces.
This modern landscape features only rocks and several types of grasses plus a single tree and it looks spectacular.
The slope is covered with blooms and grasses and looks like a genuine prairie.
Style your front yard with tall grasses that will add privacy together with the hedge.
The lush garden includes shrubs, grasses and flowers, and they look super natural together.
The front yard is done with grasses, trees, blooms and the landscape is lush and natural.
The textural and layered garden shows off trees, shrubs and grasses plus some lawn.
This incredible space is done with blooms, grasses and trees and it's a lovely drought-tolerant space that looks super natural.
This triangle garden bed right in the deck includes bold blooms and pampas grass for a slightly boho feel.
Pink grass in a pink garden bed is a real eye-candy that looks fresh and modern.
This narrow side yard features trees, blooms and grasses, all perfectly balanced and cohesive looking.
Pairing tall grasses and trees you will get a layered landscape with a variety of plants and heights.
Tall grasses are perfect garden border plants: they divide spaces and provide privacy.
This adorable piece of landscape includes various grasses and flowers, all bold, textural yet drought-tolerant.
This lush garden has it all: variety of textures, colors and heights and a unique look. (via homestolove).
This minimalist space includes only trees, grasses and a living fence plus a swimming pond. (via homestolove).
Use both tall and low grasses to vary the landscape. You can skip flowers if you choose bold grass. (via diygarden).
Line up the path with grasses as they are low-maintenance and look no less cool than blooms. (via littlesoulhome).