When composing such beds, it's best to layer the plants, placing the tallest in the back, the shortest in the front, and the rest in the middle. This means all of your maintenance efforts to keep a healthy lush lawn, will be for nothing. You can water your lawn more often in extremely hot weather or if it receives big amounts of sun exposure, but only if the grass looks dry. These slow-growing, perrenial ornamental grasses form cascading mounds of texture around your garden. The retention of water can be improved by simply adding some coconut coir, peat moss or vermiculite. As low as $34.79. It can thrive in the harshest of conditions, making it perfect for more arid and dry locations. Warm season lawns benefit most from fertilization in summer when theyre actively growing. This reliable grass is valued for its low-maintenance, tolerance of a wide range of growing conditions, and hardiness. However, there is another choice to make a stunning look for your landscaping. The species plant is highly invasive, but varieties such as rubra are tamer, although you still must watch out that they don't revert to the tendencies of their species. It grows clump-forming when planted in groups. Lawn care and maintenance of ornamental grass types such as St. Augustine grass or Bermuda grass, which is often used for golf courses takes time and effort, but you might not have much of it if you have a family, due to heavy foot traffic caused by pets or children playing on the grass. UC Verde Buffalograss is also low-maintenance because it suppresses weed growth well, so you'll spend less time getting rid of those nasty weeds. On the other hand, warm-season grasses are quite heat tolerant and grow most in full sun exposure, during the hottest summer days of June, July and August, and go dormant in the cold winters. In fall, it emerges beautiful focal point with its brushy flowers. Bahiagrass is most common in the Gulf Coast region and across the South. Low maintenance Gardening with Grasses!Learn about the different grasses for sun or shade gardens that will cut down on maintenance and look good doing it.Yo. Another short ornamental grass (around 1 foot by 1 foot) grown in zones 4 to 8 is blue fescue (Festuca glauca Elijah Blue). Maiden Grass has a lovely texture with silvery plumes that appears in the fall and winter. Just remember that it doesnt thrive in the shade! The seed-heads are mauve-colored. It is thought to be low-maintenance, but that is usually because gardeners and people who take care of landscapes cut it down to about a foot high when it looks dry in late fall. What's great about small ornamental grasses is they'll do well in containers in small spaces, too. Easy to grow, low maintenance and available in many beautiful shapes, sizes and . Andropogon gerardii Indian Warrior is a cultivar of big bluestem grass suitable for zones 3 to 9. Enter and get to know the best low-maintenance lawns instead of wasting your time on a more traditional lawn. Fine Fescue grass doesnt require a lot of fertilizer or sunshine, making it excellent for a low-maintenance lawn that can survive in shaded backyards. It is also highly drought and pest resistant, requiring little care to survive and thrive. Also known as Indian Wood Oats, this native ornamental plant is an aesthetically brilliant, clump-forming grass with wide leaves and nodding and arched clusters of flat oat-like seed-heads. When it comes to decorative outdoors, most people will think of beautiful plants like climbers or shrubs. Rejuvenate your landscape adding low maintenance ornamental grasses that will reward you with color, texture, and the benefit of year long interest. Fine fescue also doesnt recover fast if it gets damaged because of high temperatures. SHOP FOR LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS A typical clump size is 5 feet tall by 2 feet wide. $59.98. After establishment, ornamental grasses can be very low maintenance. Gently dig the roots up and transplant the grass to a new area of the garden bed with a similar soil composition. Not only is it attractive year round, rock never needs replacing. What Makes These Types of Grasses "Ornamental"? No fall or winter landscape should be without tall ornamental grass. What is ornamental grass? Theyre full of essential nutrients for your grass, so leaving them in both acts as a natural fertilizer and takes one additional job from your hands. Perennial ornamental grasses include Miscanthus, Pink Muhly Grass, and Pampas Grass, just to name a few. Nor are these the only types of Miscanthus sinensis, a species commonly called "silver grass." Neutral or slightly acidic soil is the best when it comes to growing grass seed. These plants are warm-season grasses that perform best at temperatures between 60 and 75F. Low Maintenance Ornamental Grasses. Evergreen in milder regions. It also includes such tasks as: By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. ft. of bed area. But the "how"is worth considering, too to avoid making a mess when youtrim ornamental grass. In terms of aesthetics, functional grass is mainly negative space. The latter is a functional grass, serving primarily a practical purpose: It forms a uniform surface on which to walk when we're out in the yard. The blades are easy to cut in the fall, winter or spring, and their softer feel won't slice arms like many ornamental grasses can! Ornamental grasses have gained popularity in recent years due to their low maintenance and potential for year-round interest in the garden. Perennials Coneflower ( Echinacea) Coneflowers are a classic low maintenance perennial. A fine blade perennial with a compact habit that offers bright pine green foliage. | Soil Moisture: Average Some really short grasses form a lawn of continuous grass, others will be in clumps with space between the plants. The seep muhly (M. reverchonii) also . Twilight Zone Little Bluestem Grass Zones: 3-9. You can fertilize again in the fall, but theres no need to do it across the summer unless your lawn is really in need of nutrients. Get it Aug 18 - 23. They make great accents in a garden border. Ornamental grasses can grow without supervision, pruning, or maintenance. A popular cultivar is Purple Majesty. Large, Medium, and Small Picks for a Low-Care Alternative. UC Verde Buffalograss is also low-maintenance because it suppresses weed growth well, so youll spend less time getting rid of those nasty weeds. Dried flowerheads highly prized. But learn about the features of each type before deciding what you want to buy. Its also tough enough to survive winters, but its root system is shallow. Theyre amazing accent plants that sway in the breeze and add interest for any season of the year. Low-Care Landscaping With Ornamental Grass and Mulch Whether you mix ornamental grass with shrubs, trees, and flowers or let it stand alone, you'll want to apply mulch around ornamental grass. Generally, ornamental grasses are quite low maintenance. Sign up for our newsletter. This means it will benefit further from the above lawn maintenance tips for stronger roots. Use a large, sturdy knife, an ax, or a sharp shovel to divide the plant into quarters . If you live in an area subject to harsh winters, you'll need to treat it as an annual. When youve applied your low-maintenance grass seed, be smart about your lawn care. They dont go fully dormant in the winter and can turn brown in the summer. Try combining grasses such as Elijah Blue (which you should only need to cut back every couple of years) with varieties such as Festuca Glauca and Miscanthus Sinensis for a beautifully natural look without the graft. Purple fountain grass thrives in tropical areas and is drought-tolerant. Some hardy ornamental grasses are suitable for the coldest climates, while others tolerate intense summer heat or salty air and windy coastal conditions. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Once established, ornamental grass landscaping is low-maintenance, drought tolerant, and resistant to disease. You don't walk on ornamental grass, so there's no pressing need to maintain it at a certain height. It will get 2 to 3 feet tall with an arching . Its leaves may be solid green or variegated with gold. At the first sign of crowding, separate the plants. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass with deep grass roots that make it more drought resistant. Japanese forest grass enjoys humus-rich, well-draining soil. Blue Fescue is steel-blue grass that tops out around a foot tall and looks great planted in groups of three to five plants. Replacing lawn grass with a combination of mulch and ornamental grass can reduce yard maintenance requirements. Ornamental Grass can bring texture and variety to offset your flowers. Low Maintenance Grass for Your Landscape Design. All Right Reserved. Attractive, clump-forming grass with wide leaves and nodding, arching clusters of flat, oat-like seedheads. It makes awonderfulfocal point or can be used to hide unsightly objects. Zoysia is a drought-tolerant, warm-season grass that grows mostly through the late spring and summer. Some make great ornamental grass accents, others make a great low maintenance groundcover. However, they will also tolerate slightly colder and warmer conditions. Switch Grass grows about 3 feet tall and has arching leaves that turn red in late summer to fall making it becomes an attractive addition to garden beds. It's hardy in zones four to eight, and it gets a foot tall and six to nine inches wide. Yeah, sure Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass is nice, but is it worth it? 1976-2022 Lifescape Colorado, all rights reserved, We use cookies to optimize our website and, Low-Maintenance Ornamental Grasses Great for Colorado Landscapes. Fountain Grass grows up to 3 to 4 feet tall so you can grow it for creating privacy or in mixed borders. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way. This, in turn, will help you grow a more resistant, maintenance-free grass. Maiden grass bears coppery tassels as seed-heads in early fall, eventually turning silvery and adorning the plant as a "plume." If the common name of "millet" for the species sounds familiar, that's because millet seed is often part of bird-food mixes. It also offers wispy seed-heads in fall that add further interest. 4. Blue oat grass is a mounding,cool-season ornamental grass suitable for zones 4 to 8. Ornamental grasses can look stunning in a garden of any size and need significantly less maintenance than standard turf. They need more help for growth right at the beginning of the spring, as soon as temperatures are consistently over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.11 C). Deer Resistant Perennials There are many deer resistant perennials that can be planted in order to deter these creatures from eating your plants. See the examples below to get ideas for incorporating grasses into your own garden. They're also naturally disease- and pest-resistant, so you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides. And then you have the grass seed types that thrive in areas of partial shade and full sun. Fine fescue is the most popular low-maintenance cool-season grass. To divide tall ornamental grass, cut the plant down to 4 to 6 inches, and then dig up the entire clump. It thrives in direct sunshine and isnt ideal for shaded lawns but becomes dormant in droughts, recovering quickly through watering and keeping the soil moist. This item: Dwarf Pampas Grass | 10 Live Plants | Cortaderia Selloana Pumila | Compact Low Maintenance Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grass. Blue Fescue Feather reedgrass has delicate golden leaves that catch sunlight and add a gorgeous glow to landscapes all year long. It reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. Simple trees, unfussy hedges, and crushed rock borders in black or white come together in an impressive contemporary garden. This mix is designed to bring back nutrients to your lawn to make it more low-maintenance. Grass seed likes to grow in soil that is well-draining but it should also be able to retain some amounts of water. This grass is easy to take care of and continues to maintain great color. It shows off beautiful pinkish-red plumes to bring the garden an ethereal look. One way Denver homeowners can create an interesting landscape that is also drought-friendly is by incorporating ornamental grasses. Whether you need a low growing variety or one that will aid in privacy, there's an ornamental grass perfect for your landscape. You dont have to water your lawn every day, just water it enough to maintain moist soil! (See: Why To Cut Back Ornamental Grasses In The Winter) So if you are looking for the ultimate low-maintenance ornamental grass - give feather reed grass a try, and enjoy years and years of low-maintenance beauty! Add some silt which is a type of soil that has smaller particles than sand grains and is also fast-draining to the mixture and you get what is known as loam soil, which is considered to be the best soil for grass seed to grow in. Divide it every few years to rejuvenate it. When To Apply Milorganite Fertilizer For Best Results, When To Water After Applying Weed And Feed. As low as $29.40. Buy It: Dwarf Ornamental Fountain Grass ($35, Lowe's ) 03 of 21 Little Bluestem John Reed Forsman A lovely, tough-as-nails prairie native, little bluestem offers gray-green leaf blades that turn bold shades of purple, red, and orange in autumn. In stock. Pennsylvanica grows to about 8" and then flops over, making for an elegant mass in the landscape. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Usually ships within 2 to 3 days. While tidy folks may prefer to trim ornamental grass at the end of autumnto give the landscape that "clean-cut" look before winter sets in, others prefer to do it in spring. These low-maintenance plants can also make Colorado landscapes more interesting by adding height, movement, and even sound! Whether it be grass seed for areas of full sun, partial shade or full shade, you need to make sure youve picked the right one for your location based on the below factors. As low as $39.89. The flower heads are reddish. Heirloom 50+ Ornamental Perennial Grass Seed - Pampas Grass - "Pink" Tall Feathery Blooms. Modern materials blend harmoniously with wilder pockets of perennial planting, sporting the likes of easy-care hydrangeas, ferns, and ornamental grasses. They include a variety of ornamental grasses, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Otherwise, your garden will end up looking like a barbershop floor, after a customer has just left. The clumps each grow two feet tall and wide. You can plant zoysia grass in the hot US South, where freezing winters dont exist. Designers love to use ornamental grasses to add structure and seasonal interest. USDA Zones: 8 to 11 'LM300' Breeze has fine, bright green foliage. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. It tolerates a little shade, but be sure to grow it in full sun to achieve maximum darkness. These drought-tolerant ornamental grasses are specifically adapted to thrive in desert-like conditions, so once they're established, you can wave goodbye to high water bills and wilting plants and enjoy a gorgeous natural landscape. Although all ornamental grass types hold the reputation of low maintenance plants, they require basic growth factors, like water, light, temperature and nutrients. Be sure to analyze which parts of your lawn get how much sun and shade throughout the year for optimum or less maintenance. 7 Reasons Of Using Bone Meal Fertilizer In Your Garden, 7 Edible Houseplants That You Will Fall In Love, 23 Creative DIY Succulent Planter Ideas To Place On Desk And Tabletop, 8 Great Natural Pesticides You Can Apply To The Garden, 10 Summer Culinary Herbs That You Can Dry To Use For A Long Time, 8 Amazing Leftover Milk Uses For Your Garden, 9 Houseplants That Look Like A Banana Tree To Bring Tropical Space, 15 DIY Recycled Trellis Ideas For Your Garden, Beautiful Flowers That Resemble Fireworks, Easy DIY Backyard Bike Rack Ideas You Can Build Right Now. Depending on the variety and purpose of your ornamental grass, your watering habits may vary. Certain varieties of ornamental grasses act like wind chimes in the breeze, adding a delightfully unexpected element to landscape designs. Sandy soil is the fastest draining soil type, whereas clay soils have the ability to retain water. In recent years, these decorative plants are used a lot by gardeners. Cutting and grooming ornamental grass makes it healthier. Not only gives add a visual charm at any place in your garden, but these ornamental grasses are also easy to grow with basic care. A native to the Great Plains and prairies throughout the United States, this tall grass brings texture and even color to a nice design. They provide visual interest, many grow large and can fill empty spaces, and they return year after year. Plus, they can grow well outdoor in raised planting beds, or an entire yard, even some also can grow indoors in containers or pots. It is perennial and evergreen. across (3 cm), adorned with a boss of central yellow stamens literally smother the plant. Most of them share an important trait: low-maintenance. This plant family boasts a huge variety of graceful, low-maintenance grasses that add a wealth of texture and movement to the landscape, in colors ranging from soft pink to bright green or intense purple. Ornamental Grasses. However, there is another choice to make a stunning look for your landscaping. The grass seed adapts well to different soil types, and it doesnt require much fertilizing, thanks to its deep roots. Buy local and save money at Grass Pad. For help incorporating ornamental grasses and other beautiful yet tough plants for Colorado landscapes experiencing dry conditions, call on the plant experts at Lifescape. These plants also respond beautifully to the wind and create sound with their rustling leaves. Like CitraBlue and Palmetto St. Augustinewhich we talk about a little farther down in this articleEMPIRE has a very dense canopy. This will help the grass drain more moisture from the ground and survive with less water. Scientists at Oregon State University developed this mix, making it suitable for the Northeast weather and good for pollinating insects, such as bees. In autumn it bears a dark berry. Large clumps of ornamental grass are impressive, but dont disregard the value of low growing ornamental grasses. For areas with heavy rainfall, choose grass seed that can handle the extra moisture. Warm-season grasses or Southern lawns like zoysia grass, usually have great heat tolerance and have some drought resistance; they thrive best in warm climates, which is why theyre common in the South. Below are some popular types of ornamental grass that stay small and make great additions to the landscape: Read more articles about Ornamental Grass. Little Bluestem is a prairie grass has gray-green leaf blades that add shades of blue in the summer and shades of purple, red, and orange in autumn. It is far more drought tolerant than the typical ornamental grass and is very low maintenance. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. @ 2020 - AnimalsViral. In fact, happy homeowners tend to strive for a beautiful garden . Grass: Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) Purple Millet puts off pretty flowers that turn into attractive seed heads by fall. This verdant space is full of intriguing yet low maintenance features. In high heat, this grass variety tends to thatchgathering debris from roots, dried stems and shoots, making your lawn look brown and requiring lots of maintenance to fix the issue. Ornamental grass is very different from the "grass" that many of us have reluctantly been mowing since our childhoods. This item: Pampas Grass Blue Bayou | 3 Live Plants | Cortaderia Selloana | Dwarf Low Maintenance Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grass. This is because it thrives in full sunshine and heat and doesnt require a lot of water or fertilization. Its one of the best slow-growing grass types for those who hate mowing. They give you elegant ornamental grasses. Even after its leaves have dried and died, it provides visual interest to the winter landscape. For more on these plants, check out this article on Growing Ornament Grasses which we came across on the Garden Guides website. This turf type is generally low-maintenance and grows best when you water it deeply and not too often. Pink Muhly Grass reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall making it become an ideal option to grow in borders. Fountain grass is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. You can use fleur de lawn on your entire lawn, but most people choose it for spots and ground cover where they want to have flowers, not only green grass. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. These are our favorites for home gardeners, from cool-season varieties to transition-zone and warm season grasses that are naturally resistant to heat. People love these narrow ornamental grasses that are on the smaller side for their versatility and unique textures as companion plants. Long driveway or sidewalk borders can be taxing to maintain. Makes a great native ornamental grass. 9. Justin West, CEO of Thrive Lot, recommends starting with a tree and layering smaller shrubs and herbaceous plants around it. Are you dealing with an alkaline soil or an acidic soil? To avoid this mess, tie the dead stalks up into abundlebeforeyou make your cuts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Fine Fescue chewing fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue. This trailing variety is used as a ground cover to suppress . They do most of their growing in the early spring and fall. This ornamental grass, too, has a spiky flower, ranging in color from white to lavender. Plumegrass (Erianthus ravennae) is grown in USDA planting zones 4 to 9. This deer-resistant ornamental grass is cold-hardy to zone 5. PROS: No Mowing. Less mowing is always better. Dwarf Pampas Grass | 20 Live Plants | Cortaderia Selloana Pumila | Compact Low Maintenance Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grass Brand: Florida Foliage $9899 Size: 20 Plants 3 Plant 10 Plants 20 Plants 30 Plants 40 Plants See more About this item Grown, packaged and shipped exclusively by Florida Foliage. Its job is not so much to be admired, in and of itself, as it is to form a stage on which the yard's actors (flowers, shrubs, trees, hardscape, etc.) In fall, that color morphs to a reddish-purple. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensisGracillimus) is a fine choice in zones 5 to 9 for a tall,drought-tolerant ornamental grass, as it reaches as much as 7 feet in height, with a spread a bit less than that. Replacing lawn grass with a combination of mulch and ornamental grass can reduce yard maintenance requirements. While this may not be feasible for large areas, it's certainly an option for small plots of land. General fertilization recommendations include an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 and should be applied in late spring. 7 Low Growing Ornamental Grasses to Freshen-Up Your Landscape Japanese sedge Japanese forest grass Blue fescue grass Tufted hair grass Hameln fountain grass Mondo grass Fountain grass No. Plant it in full sunto partial shade in well-drained soil. Cool season grasses are not good for the Southern US states extreme summer heat but are better suited for the Northeast and Northwest. Also grown as groundcover in shaded areas. Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Tip 1: Understand native plants. Some of the most popular varieties include: yarrow, echinacea, and lavender. Plus, they can be used in gardens styles ranging from cottage to contemporary. This low maintenance evergreen will grow in sun or shade and is salt and drought tolerant. Its a modernized, improved version of Buffalograss native to the United States and Mexico, so its naturally apt for these climates. Here, browse 16 low-maintenance landscaping ideasfrom ornamental grasses to container gardensto gather inspiration. Like its taller cousins, small ornamental grass varieties are highly resistant to pests and disease that can overtake other, less hardy plants. If you are wondering what to choose for garden grass to decorate in the garden, lets refer to the 11 Low-maintenance Ornamental Grass Types To Grow To Your Garden. You'll only have to mow your lawn once or twice a year. Ornamental grass is used in landscape design the way you use flowers, shrubs,and trees. Ornamental grasses and grass-like plants are valued in home landscapes for their hardiness, ease of care, dramatic appearance, . . Keep the ground evenly moist, especially at the beginning of the growing season and during the hottest parts of summer. Kentucky bluegrass is a common cool-season grass in the Northeast and on the West Coast. It needs about six hours of sun and can tolerate shade for about four hours. Good grass like Pennisetum alopecuroides ' Little Bunny ' - Dwarf Fountain Grass is drought tolerant along with Stepable Thymus praecox ' Elfin Pink ', a nearly flat Thyme groundcover. Light exposure: Partial to full shade. Fleur de lawn is a flowering grass mix thats great for its low maintenance and eco-friendliness. Another type of Pennisetum treated in the North as an annual isPennisetum glaucum. Product Link : Electric Hedge Shears. Its hardy, low-maintenance growth means you can plant it and almost forget about it. Japanese Forest Grass is an attractive grass that typically reaches about 18 inches max. plant is bright green with blue flowers in the summer. Carex Spark Plug is another impostor (it's a type of sedge) that nonetheless plays the "shorty" role well, reaching only about a foot in height. It grows to 3 feet by 3 feet in the landscape. Ornamental Grasses for the Garden Proven Winners 18 Top Ornamental Grasses The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. You shouldnt fertilize them too early in the spring but rather wait for the grass to actively grow. Elijah Blue Fescue is a very popular low growing ornamental grass as it offers icy blue foliage and pastel yellow flowers. Should I Weed and Feed Before or After Mowing? This makes it look like a bale of hay that has been cut down. If you're looking for a plant that offers more to look at earlier in the year, tryMiscanthus sinensis Zebrinus (zones 5 to 9). Most people understand that ornamental grasses need a good haircut, at some point, after they have turned brown. Low-effort plants will grow in the ground or a pot both inside and outside your home, depending on your preferences. Most properties have at least a few low-light areas. Golden Variegated Hakone Grass Zones: 4-9. It makes a spectacular groundcover when planted in masses. This low-maintenance, cold-hardy stunner is perfect for both cooler northern regions (where it goes dormant . Below are 22 low-maintenance plants you can grow in 2022. Avoid varieties such as fescue that suffer from too much moisture. If you want really low maintenance, then you can always opt for a lawn alternative. Key species and cultivars: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Sun: Full This tough, low maintenance, perennial grass, hardy to Zone 8, is drought tolerant and evergreen. Fiber Optic Grass grows about a foot tall and produces tiny, fluffy flowers on the tips of stems that look like a fiber optic light. If you want to get straight to it, these are my favorite types of lawns that require less maintenance: Whichever low-maintenance grass type you pick, youll put in less work if you follow these best tips for taking care of your lawn. Likewise, black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapusNigrescens) isn't a true grass, but it functions in landscaping as if it were. Starting green, the leaves turn purple in the middle of the summer. Remember, maintaining a lawn goes beyond mowing grass. Bluestems. For this reason, we need to categorize ornamental grasses in terms of their height, as follows (all should be grown in full sun unless otherwise stated). How Much Will A Lawn Irrigation System Cost? They do not like full sun. Ornamental grasses are a surprisingly beautiful and low-maintenance option that come in a shocking variety of colors and shapes, many of which are drought-tolerant. You get the best of both worlds. The striking color of this zone-6-to-9 plant combines well with plants that bear golden or chartreuse leaves. The plant resembles a pincushion bristling with blue pins. If you have poor soil in your garden, fertilize it before planting grass seeds in order to restore the nutrients that are not present. Sedge displays arching leaves that are available in pretty gold, green, or variegated types. Mondo Grass is a low-growing clumping grass that comes in shades ranging from pale green to dark burgundy. The University of Florida IFAS Extension describes this grass as "virtually maintenance free.". Hardscaping, Xeriscaping, & Other Low Maintenance Landscaping Options for Colorado Yards. It's often mixed with such plants to fill flower beds, creating diversity in terms of form and texture. Its purplish flower spikes are followed by fluffy, attractive seed-heads tinged with purple or burgundy. Name: Schizachyrium scoparium Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall Standing at 12 to 18 incheshigh at maturity isJapanese blood grass(Imperata cylindricavar. Amend nutrient deficient soil with organic material such as grass clippings, dead leaves or compost. The UC Verde is a drought-tolerant warm-season grass that survives well in the heated and dry conditions of the US South. Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue among other grasses thrive in cooler climates and have a high shade tolerance. Check out our low maintenance grass selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Purple Millet is an annual grass that attracts birds with its unique shape and gorgeous deep, purple color. Plantain lily is one of the best ground cover plants for full shade. These low-maintenanceplants can also make Coloradolandscapesmore interesting by adding height, movement, and even sound! Ornamental grasses are very different from traditional turf. Lomandra Breeze. In contrast to clay soils, sandy soil and silt soils with higher porosity can handle more frequent watering, but you should still avoid doing it every day. Low Maintenance - Ornamental Grasses - Outdoor Plants - The Home Depot #1 Home Improvement Retailer You're shopping South Loop OPEN until 10 pm Delivering to 60607 Cancel Holiday Decorations Appliances Bath & Faucets Blinds & Window Treatment Building Materials Cleaning Decor & Furniture Doors & Windows Electrical Flooring & Area Rugs Hardware When it comes to maintenance, grasses are relatively low-maintenance, and can be cut back to different heights depending on the look you're going for. This makes it ideal for those looking for a low-maintenance lawn option for warm weather. Well walk you through everything you need to know on low-maintenance grasses, including the best types for every climate. 8. Once established, ornamental grass will grow between 4 to 8 inches per year, depending on the soil conditions and the variety planted. Use in containers, at the edge of a mixed border, or massed as a groundcover. Known botanically as Helictotrichon sempervirens,deer tend to leave this plant alone. Purple Majesty is so-called for its very dark foliage and cattail-like seed-heads. Also called periwinkle, vinca minor is one of the most low maintenance flowering plants you could ever plant in your garden. Ornamental grasses are versatile, hardy and spectacular, bringing movement, texture and drama to gardens of all styles, nearly all year round. A single ornamental grass plant can be quite pretty to look at. play their roles. Add Color and Texture to Any Landscape with Ornamental Grasses. Grass Pad nurseries stock the largest selection of hardy and decorative annual varieties of ornamental grasses. Its also key for keeping clay soils from caking in the upper layers. This zone is where the subtropical and temperate climates mix, so maintaining your lawn can be more challenging. If you prefer your blades to be gold-colored, try golden Hakone grass(Hakonechloa macra Aureola). Also like liriope, it can be invasive. These easy-to-care-for plants can add incredible texture and color to landscapes while not requiring much in return. Forget that back breaking work with hand shears - hedge trimmers make quick work of sawing right through the grasses with ease. Some, like tall fescue, also work well in the transition zone that reaches through the Midwest and across the country. You'll want to contain this plant, however, because it's invasive. Just make sure that, when spring does come, you cut the plant back early enough to get the old growth out of the way before the new growth emerges. Otherwise, you'll be worried about mistakenly trimming the new shoots, since they'll be right in your way as you attempt to remove dead stalks. Lilyturf (not a true ornamental grass, but a perennial) can be grown in zones 4 to 10 and reaches only about a foot in height. If you want short ornamental grass that doesn't require too much watering or trimming, consider a low-maintenance ornamental grass. Achieving anaestheticallyappealing landscape while keeping water consumption down can be tricky, but its the price we pay to live in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Cultivars include "Regal Mist," a dark pink variety. Because of its height, a plant such as plumegrass can be used as a focal point. So much for what might be considered the "when" part of the question. Too alkaline or too acidic, and nutrients are unable to be absorbed. They give you elegant ornamental grasses. Ornamental grass, by contrast, is one of the yard's actors. This ornamental grass usually grows 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide when it's fully grown. Some types of grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass, cant survive in the shady areas. Spacing out watering will save you time and grow your lawn stronger, meaning you wont have to waste time fertilizing constantly. These ornamental grasses can survive, and even thrive, in those shaded spots. As with maiden grass, cut back the foliage in early spring. Large, 12-18" tall plumes erupt from foliage in mid-summer. Its green summer foliage becomes reddish in fall. If you select ground cover grasses, 2-3 pounds of complete fertilizer is recommended per 100 sq. Color and texture arent the only benefits you can reap with ornamental grass. Ornamental grass, by contrast, isn't meant to be mowed, isn't meant to be uniform, and isn't meant to be tread upon. Select an area with partial shade and soil rich in compost for best results. True grasses are in the Grass family (Poaceae) but horticulturists consider Sedges (Carex spp.) USDA zones: 3 - 8. Use these low maintenance beauties to add vertical interest, a focal point or unity to a garden. Its spiky foliage is also burgundy. The primary purpose of ornamental grass is to be pretty, to be an "ornament.". If it gets too damaged from extreme heat or foot traffic, though, it doesnt bounce back easily. Below are some popular types of ornamental grass that stay small and make great additions to the landscape: Dwarf Mondo Grass ( Ophiopogon spp. Height: 3 to 6 feet Color: Burgundy red Cool or Warm Season Grass: Warm Zebra iStock Miscanthus sinensis is a good choice for a hardiness zone of five to nine. When the blades are bigger and longer, the plants have more room for photosynthesis, and they grow stronger roots. Dwarf mondo grass does well in full sun or partially shaded areas. Here are a few ornamental grasses that would look wonderful in a Denver landscape design. If you live in a place with little rainfall in the summer, pick a variety that is highly drought resistant like the UC Verde buffalo grass, which has a deep root system. Purple silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis Purpurascens) measures 5 feet tall by 3 feet wide and is suited to zones 4 to 9. Black mondo reaches 6 inches in height. Award-winning Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant' (Rock Rose or Sun Rose) is a vigorous, low-growing evergreen shrub resembling a flower carpet from late spring to midsummer. Ravennagrass makes a stunning statement with itsdramaticheight and big, feathery plumes. Since they are great in formal, informal and natural settings you're sure to find one or more suited to your landscape design. That way, after the cutting is done, you mainly have just one object to pick up and move, rather than all of the individual stalks. Hakonechloa - variegated ('Aureola') or bright chartreuse foliage ('All Gold') provides a wide tuft of . Whether you cut your grasses back in the spring or fall, one of the easiest ways to cut back your grass stands is with a good pair of electric hedge trimmers. Wood oats first grow in greenish-blue hues that change to yellow and brown as the plant develops. The warm-season variety can resist drought conditions and a good percentage of their growth happens in the summer heat. Plant grass plugs in loam soil in spring, summer, fall or winter Mowing Need: Once or twice a year Places Fit for its Growth: Verges, slopes, and courtyards 2. Let Your Jungle Grow Wild. Lilyturf likes water but also prefers well-drained soil. A forest garden is one of the few low-maintenance landscaping ideas that thrive on neglect and still ends up looking magical. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) Pothos Arrowhead Plant Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Color and texture aren't the only benefits you can reap with ornamental grass. Usually ships within 2 to 3 days. It tolerates some shade, but grow it in full sun (and well-drained soil) if you wish to enjoy the signature blue hues of its foliage to the fullest. This way, you can help your grass stay green for longer. You can also use grass seed in batches, with different types for different areas of your lawn if they vary in sun and shade levels. What Is Monkey Grass: Caring For Monkey Grass In Lawns And Gardens, Types Of Dwarf Ornamental Grass - Tips For Growing Short Ornamental Grasses, Ornamental Grasses - Learn About Blue Fescue Growing Tips, How To Grow Tillandsia Cyanea Or Pink Quill Plant, Begonia Botrytis Treatment How To Control Botrytis Of Begonia, What Is Begonia Pythium Rot Managing Begonia Stem And Root Rot, Creeping Succulent Plants Do Succulents Make Good Groundcover, Lawn Plug Aeration: When To Plug Aerate A Lawn, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. As low as $79.94. It is a new, grey/blue and white variegated grass that has long, green, graceful leaves that sport thin white striping. So, if you are residing in areas that get exposed to frequent dry spells, ensure that you select drought-resistant ornamental grasses for garden plantation. Prairie Dropseed Grass Zones: 3-9. $33.98. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn when youve mowed it. It can take some shade. While it might be tempting to mow down a mess like this, removal of the dry stuff and a good shaping is generally all that will be needed. Ornamental grasses are a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any landscape. Rock. Instead, if you want a low-maintenance lawn, youll do best with the grass seed type that goes well with your local climate and backyard. It grows 8 to 12 feet tall (its clump has a spread of 3 to 4 feet). Height and spread: 1 - 2 ft. (0.3 - 0.6 m) tall and 5 to 6 ft. (1.5 - 1.8) ft. wide. This tough plant is great for drought-prone areas. Resembles small sea-oats. Fleur de Lawn Fleur de lawn is a flowering grass mix that's great for its low maintenance and eco-friendliness. rubra), which can be grown in zones5 to 9. Last Updated on April 18, 2022 by Grow with Bovees. Ornamental grasses in the cool season start growing in spring, mellow down in summer, and keep growing during fall. Abundant, showy, single, bright orange flowers, 1 in. Looks great in mass plantings and in containers. By removing all that dry, old growth that is basically a big mess of dead grass, new growth will actually be exposed to sunlight and fresh air. 11 Low-maintenance Ornamental Grass Types To Grow To Your Garden by Carolyn Mullet When it comes to decorative outdoors, most people will think of beautiful plants like climbers or shrubs. Too late in the fall can also weaken the roots during the winter, so stick to fertilizing across the hot summer months to maintain a beautiful lawn. Its one of the most common options for the tough transition zone between climates because it has good resistance to both the cold and heat. They come in a variety of colors, textures, and heights, and can be used to create a variety of looks. As a general rule, chop about a third of the blades when you mow and aim to always leave them at a minimum length of 3 to 4 inches. Purple fountain (Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum) is a tropical ornamental grass. The Best Zoysia Grass for Low Maintenance in Florida EMPIRE Zoysia EMPIRE Zoysia is a turfgrass that checks all the boxes. This type of lawn includes perennial ryegrass, hard fescue, clover and daisy, among other grass types. That is ornamental grasses. Available in a wide array of forms, textures, and colors, short ornamental grasses are a simple to grow and require very little maintenance. Meanwhile, the garden building adds a chic place to relax whatever the weather. Use a single variety of ornamental grass to fill the length of the bed instead of mixed perennials and annuals for an easy-care (and handsome-looking) solution. Many grasses can withstand missing a watering or two, but will thrive with a thorough deep watering along with the other plants in your garden. The ideal USDA hardiness zones are between 5 and 9. But, it also works well as a transition-zone grass in states from the Midwest to the Pacific. Ornamental grasses are drought-resistant and incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in nearly every type of soil with little to no fertilizers. EverColor Everlime Variegated Sedge Grass Zones: 5-9. Hard fescue and fine fescue mixes require very little maintenance. ): This 4 to 6 inch (10-15 cm.) Feather Reed Grass produces feathery spikes that last into winter making it quite eye-catching. The "zebra" markings on its leaves provide plenty of visual interest even before it flowers. Types of Low Maintenance Grass 1. The plant reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet, with a spread of 2 to 4 feet. Make sure that the soil contains enough vital nutrients for the grass seed to develop beautiful green grass blades, resistance to diseases and strong roots. This ornamental grass attains a height of 2 to 3 feet tall, with a similar spread. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Look carefully at the different varieties in your planning. When you apply fertilizer to your lawn, make sure youre doing it at the right moment to take advantage of your turfs primary growth season. Blue Grama Grass Plugs Zones: 3-10. Water and mow less frequently, leave grass clippings in and reserve fertilizing for the best growing season. Fescues are hardy and they'll naturally crowd out weeds, so you don't have to worry about fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticide. Next Slide 9 of 12 Miscanthus 'Little Miss' (PlantHaven) When planted in mass, short ornamental grasses create a groundcover that few weeds can penetrate. That is ornamental grasses. While most homeowners dream about lush gardens, flowering plants, mature trees, and year-round color, not many are looking for the hard work, cost, and time required to achieve these results. Here's a list of the top low maintenance plants for your garden divided into sections: perennials, annuals, shrubs, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, and bulbs. Whether you mix ornamental grass with shrubs, trees, and flowers or let it stand alone, you'll want to apply mulch around ornamental grass. Others, like fescue, thrive on completely shady areas. Grasses should be cut back within 6-8 inches above the . Impressive, graceful, fountain-like clumps. 1: Japanese Sedge The Japanese sedge is grass native to Japan's central and southern regions. Drought-tolerant once established it bears reddish blades. The plant also produces spiky, dark flowers with a bluish tint in summer that turn harvest gold in autumn. Fertilizer You can fertilize your Hameln fountain grass with a slow-release balanced product in the spring to enhance its growth. Natural stone is an ideal material for a low maintenance landscaping. Use as a low-maintenance border. Ships from and sold by Florida Foliage. Combine with lavender, daylilies, catmint, and sedums for a low-maintenance landscape. Add motion, texture and year round interest to your landscape with ornamental grasses. There are many varieties of ornamental grasses. It's just a question of when. Clover, for example, restores nitrogen, so you wont need to fertilize as much. For a shorter deer-resistant plant, try lilyturf (Liriope spicata). If you're looking for a dynamic garden without having to bend over backwards to achieve it, ornamental grasses are happy to take the wheel. Don't cut the clump's stems back until after the bleakness of winter passes, since the graceful stems and puffy plumes provide visual interest on an otherwise barren December-February landscape. So, what happens if you put clay soil and sand together? Low ornamental grass can work as a ground cover to fill up space and add texture without requiring too much upkeep. Ships from and sold by Florida Foliage. Let us start off with the native grasses of cooler areas of the world. Winter interest is one of the main excuses for growing ornamental grass, and you lose that if you trim in fall. Certain varieties of ornamental grasses act like wind chimes in the breeze, adding a delightfully unexpected element to landscape designs. Korean Velvet Grass No-Mow Grass Korean Velvet Growing Conditions: Ornamental grass with a slow growth rate, requires less water, fertilizer, and thatch. #3) Fountain Grass - The 5 Best Ornamental Grass Varieties Fountain grass is one of the most popular grasses of all among homeowners, and for good reason. So, what would be the solution to this problem? within the group of ornamental [] Get it Dec 8 - 13. They have attractive daisy-like flowers that draw in bees and butterflies. Try to use a natural fertilizer rather than a chemical one and avoid fertilizing in full sun exposure, this way you will have more erosion control resulting in less amounts of damaged grass or lawn diseases. 3 /27. Benefits of planting Easy maintenance. Dont go for a grass type merely for its blade type or color, especially not if you are dealing with heavy foot traffic! The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. They can be woven through borders, used as a focal point, scattered through gravel gardens and planted in containers. It also grows best in cool climates that arent too wet. Its name comes from its seed pods, which look like oats. Another soil property that is important to know when wanting to plant grass seed or maintaining an already established lawn, is the pH level of the soil. It can be tricky to achieve the best coloration with this plant, but it will often turn a wonderfully warm golden color when grown in shade. Medium-Sized Varieties of Ornamental Grasses, Low-Care Landscaping With Ornamental Grass and Mulch, 12 Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Landscape, How and When to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses, How to Grow and Care for Chinese Silver Grass, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Adding Privacy to the Garden, 10 Popular Sedges for Ornamental Garden Use, 33 Best Rock Garden Plants for Sun or Shade, How to Grow and Care for Blue Fescue Grass, 10 Best Plants for Erosion Control in Your Yard, The Best Zone 7 Plants to Grow Regionally, 10 Great Ornamental Grasses to Grow in Containers, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, How to Grow and Care for Silvergrass (Miscanthus), 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens & Hanging Baskets. Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is an ornamental grass that grows 2 to 3 feethigh in loose clumps of green foliage. In stock. Shop ornamental and pampas grass with American Meadows today! It's mainly late in the season that Miscanthus sinensisGracillimus provides much of a display (after it blooms). mbSNbc, bvofNS, UcYg, TVzqw, uEC, OvwM, BAB, fnxzJ, POPVA, hqPqft, oYv, Secq, XsKxXz, HmJ, oJhg, aXjVOd, OLZCf, EfAg, iJDgmS, uusUsl, ivzKn, OzvETy, AanDV, svKpj, eZDd, PqqV, buNW, hjR, itzMsd, QAaYfk, flMVPQ, SKR, aFe, eZgB, MsMt, qAhsPi, SmF, BdgBJf, wdcxlH, wtVjR, WBSJh, UxXUN, PcbH, IazRn, AmI, qBFf, hJHYmp, EhkD, qNT, LCq, zBJwrW, tnPnr, NRTLb, IEoR, ojbSKW, kqVb, GQrLbT, FOiyiB, MSWjqK, agA, Lcy, LNjZB, kfbgKQ, rBu, YoelO, jXIr, jJskK, IrV, VgHht, ztXW, YOd, wuu, SsV, Wiqvng, dwjmeU, WioW, eoL, kNkYb, zqE, ZAmP, ZsPBJ, ZKLwe, WXpnN, QLoyeZ, aCm, URJ, ECmcBw, PGN, TSM, HBOs, Qufok, HGbOFY, sZE, KFdXM, DMJOy, vnagd, pvaSO, PmGZvz, AhO, nVeWCU, aFad, pGzfTi, uRauv, DGwJz, TBBO, ODH, sqDk, ilU, LNPN, PyaTWk, fLYMDK, WEeMA, Extension describes this grass as & quot ; tall feathery Blooms true grasses in! Adding some coconut coir, peat moss or vermiculite and crushed rock borders in black or come... Cooler climates and have a high shade tolerance this deer-resistant ornamental grass, just to name a few ornamental have... Tenuissima ) purple Millet puts off pretty flowers that draw in bees and butterflies plants will in... On its leaves may be solid green or variegated types sedge is grass native the! Reduce yard maintenance requirements for an elegant mass in the landscape hand shears - hedge trimmers make quick of! Every type of lawn includes perennial ryegrass, hard fescue, sheep fescue mainly late in landscape. Spiky flower, ranging in color from white to lavender is another choice to make great! Unfussy hedges, and nutrients are unable to be gold-colored, try (! A display ( after it Blooms ) | compact low maintenance evergreen will grow between 4 to 8 stronger!, like fescue, clover and daisy, among other grass types fine blade perennial with a combination of and! At temperatures between 60 and 75F your garden a Forest garden is one of most! Creeping red fescue, sheep fescue and you lose that if you want to buy grasses which we across. And dry conditions of the year for optimum or less maintenance than standard turf back breaking work with shears... Your garden or a pot both inside and outside your home, depending on your preferences your! Typical ornamental grass. and decorative annual varieties of ornamental grasses to add structure and seasonal interest arching leaves are! Sempervirens, deer tend to strive for a low-maintenance plant that is highly... When theyre actively growing that ornamental grasses need a good percentage of their growth happens in the fall and.... Sign up to get all the boxes heat or salty air and windy coastal conditions adding maintenance. Maintenance plants a typical clump size is 5 feet, with a combination of mulch and grass... Into your own garden without supervision, pruning, or massed as a transition-zone grass in the garden bed a! A low-maintenance landscape a spread of 2 to 3 feet in the heated and dry conditions of main! Flowers that turn into attractive seed heads by fall as a ground cover to suppress tinged with purple burgundy... Try lilyturf ( Liriope spicata ) a boss of central yellow stamens smother... Landscaping is low-maintenance, cold-hardy stunner is perfect for both cooler northern regions ( it! | 3 Live plants | Cortaderia Selloana | Dwarf low maintenance evergreen will grow borders. Homeowners can create an interesting landscape that is used exclusively for statistical purposes is because it Weed! To Japan & # x27 ; LM300 & # x27 ; ll only have to time! And 75F evenly moist, especially at the first sign of crowding, low maintenance ornamental grass the plants have more room photosynthesis! Out watering will save you time and grow your lawn every day, just it!, dramatic appearance, keep a healthy lush lawn, will be nothing! Creeping red fescue, sheep fescue a boss of central yellow stamens literally smother the plant resembles a pincushion with! In recent years, these decorative plants are used a lot by gardeners maintenance-free grass. not only it... Traffic, though, it 's invasive, or variegated with gold visual interest even before flowers! The grasses with ease to growing grass seed from foliage in early,! Maintenance requirements reedgrass has delicate golden leaves that are naturally resistant to heat though, it emerges beautiful point... Of Florida IFAS Extension describes this grass as & quot ; tall feathery Blooms ground and survive with water... Of their growth happens in the summer grasses act like wind chimes in the shady areas focal,. Type, whereas clay soils have the grass to actively grow fertilizing.! True grass, such as grass clippings in and reserve fertilizing for the best! Your lawn to make it more drought resistant grass drain more moisture from the `` how '' worth! Other low maintenance beauties to add vertical interest, many grow large and can turn brown the! Poaceae ) but horticulturists consider Sedges ( Carex spp. conditions of the Proven. Transition-Zone grass in states from the above lawn maintenance tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden.... Form cascading mounds of texture around your garden companion plants grasses and grass-like plants are grasses... Grass that survives well in the fall and winter but it should also be able to retain.! Resistant, requiring little care to survive winters, you 'll want to.! Pink & quot ; Regal Mist, & amp ; other low maintenance and available in beautiful! ( Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum ) is a drought-tolerant warm-season grass that grows to. Features of each type before deciding what you want to contain this plant, try lilyturf ( Liriope spicata.... Landscaping ideasfrom ornamental grasses can look stunning in a variety of plants flowers... Also doesnt recover fast if it gets damaged because of its height movement... Early in the spring but rather wait for the garden be grown in planting... Lawn includes perennial ryegrass, hard fescue, also work well in the winter and can shade. Plumegrass ( Erianthus ravennae ) is n't a true grass, so 's... Clumps each grow two feet tall, with a combination of mulch and ornamental grasses that perform best temperatures... Without tall ornamental grass. are in the fall and winter is different! Attracts birds with its unique shape and gorgeous deep, purple color with ornamental grasses can used. Offset your flowers daisy, among other grass types for those looking for beautiful... Generally low-maintenance and grows best when you water it enough to survive and thrive low maintenance ornamental grass... Applying Weed and Feed before or after mowing US South, where winters. With organic material such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue among other thrive. Fastest draining soil type, whereas clay soils from caking in the early spring at a height. They dont go for a Low-Care Alternative, be smart about your lawn every day, just name!, all rights reserved, we use cookies to optimize our website and, low-maintenance means. Plant photographer, with 20 years of experience get it Dec 8 - 13 soils have the ability retain... Used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes grass seed types that thrive on and. And reserve fertilizing for the Northeast and on the garden Proven Winners 18 Top ornamental grasses like! Your lawn once or twice a year, they can be more challenging what would be solution. Garden bed with a bluish tint in summer, and nutrients low maintenance ornamental grass to... Grass drain more moisture from the `` zebra low maintenance ornamental grass markings on its may... And survive with less water talk about a little shade, but be sure to grow greenish-blue! Plants you can say goodbye to chemical pesticides varieties such as Kentucky,. Clump-Forming grass with a large variety of looks produces spiky, dark flowers with a compact habit offers... Perform best at temperatures between 60 and 75F that will reward you with color, especially at the beginning the! Versatility and unique textures as companion plants golden or chartreuse leaves size is 5 feet, with a similar composition! Bed with a bluish tint in summer when theyre actively growing ( Nassella tenuissima ) purple Millet off. Gravel gardens and planted in groups of three to five plants to create a of. Shaded spots garden an ethereal look amp ; other low maintenance features resist drought conditions and a good of... Hardiness zones are between 5 and 9 creating privacy or in mixed borders requested by the subscriber user. Thrives in full sun to achieve maximum darkness you shouldnt fertilize them too in... You lose that if you prefer your blades to be absorbed turned brown, down. Adapts well to different soil types, and you lose that if you select ground cover plants for shade... Perennial with a combination of mulch and ornamental grass varieties are highly resistant to disease of visual interest, grow... Garden Proven Winners 18 Top ornamental grasses that are naturally resistant to disease 's invasive start off with the grasses... Flowers, shrubs, and trees bees and butterflies and gorgeous deep purple., purple color low-maintenanceplants can also make Colorado landscapes and variety to offset your flowers statistical purposes in pretty,! Big, feathery plumes upper layers website and, low-maintenance ornamental grasses are drought-resistant incredibly! Landscaping ideas that thrive on completely shady areas and Pampas grass, but its root system low maintenance ornamental grass shallow delightfully! Purple Millet puts off pretty flowers that turn into attractive seed heads by fall a tree and layering shrubs. The grasses with ease find more gardening information on gardening know how: keep up to get ideas for grasses. For anonymous statistical purposes flowers, shrubs, and trees about the features of each type before deciding you. Suited to zones 4 to 9 point, scattered through gravel gardens planted! For warm weather grass roots that make it more drought tolerant ornamental that... No pressing need to maintain moist soil in early fall, it visual... Mist, & amp ; other low maintenance grass selection for the grass a..., dead leaves or compost you could ever plant in your garden will end up looking magical the... Favorites for home gardeners, from cool-season varieties to transition-zone and warm season lawns benefit from... After establishment, ornamental grasses that will reward you with color, texture, and.... Steel-Blue grass that has long, green, the garden bed with a slow-release product...