Graceful grasses

With dramatic foliage and distinctive plumes, ornamental grasses come in sizes to suit virtually any garden

- MICHELLE GERVAIS

Fall is the time when most ornamental grasses shine, blooming on upright or arching stems that catch the breeze and bringing a new textural element to the whole landscape. While they can be used as accents to punctuate mixed perennial plantings, they're showy enough to be the star of the show, too, especially when planted in masses.

"With their varied forms and textures, ornamental grasses can be a great addition to many landscapes," says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. "They generally require very little maintenance and are naturally deer resistant. And while most thrive in full sun, there are some that can brighten a shade garden, too."

Most shade-loving grasses are known as cool-season types; in northern climates, these emerge in early spring and continue through the summer. More heat-tolerant warm-season grasses take off in summer, continuing to grow until a hard freeze. While ornamental grasses can still be planted in early fall, waiting till spring gives their root systems more time to fully develop before their first winter in the ground. Trouble is, in their nursery pots in spring, many look little like what they'll eventually become. That makes now a good time to go to the garden center to check out grasses in their full splendor. Whether you plant in spring or fall, watering them regularly the first season is key to helping them get established; beyond that, most grasses are relatively drought tolerant and don't require regular fertilizing to thrive. In regions without lots of heavy snow, the dried foliage, flower stalks, and seed heads can be left in place over the winter for the birds to enjoy, and to add winter interest.