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.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mobile kitchen island
TOH DIY expert Jenn Largesse shows how to build a rolling kitchen cart with a butcher-block top
Bathtub tray
TOH general contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O'Connor construct a slatted zebrawood caddy to hold grooming essentials, a book, and even a glass of wine, for those who like a long soak
Navigating the rise in mortgage rates
Looking to buy—or refinance—and feeling frustrated by lenders’ sky-high interest rates? Here’s how to get the best deal
Graceful grasses
With dramatic foliage and distinctive plumes, ornamental grasses come in sizes to suit virtually any garden
A better asphalt driveway
It's long-lasting and recyclable, and it weathers extreme temperatures. You can repair small cracks and divots in asphalt, too. Here's what you need to know to get-and maintain-a great-looking asphalt driveway
Modernizing a mid-century house
A family turns to TOH to renovate a 1960 house that had been awkwardly expanded over time. Their goal: to create a contemporary, energy-efficient, open-plan home that is fully accessible for a son with mobility issues
Making a house her own
Renovating in stages over nearly two decades, a homeowner transforms a once forlorn bungalow into a cozy, very personal space
A little house that lives large
A reimagined interior and second-story addition double the living area inside a narrow shotgun house, while respecting its historical roots
Before & After: Bath Fit for a Queen Anne
Classic meets modern in this primary-suite retreat
Before & After: Kitchen Moving a wall makes it work
Grabbing a few feet from the adjacent dining room yields major layout improvements