Since most ornamental grasses are hardy perennials, they’re a total treat for your garden all year round. I love watching them transition from those first fresh blades in the spring to full summer blooms, and then into autumn when they turn those gorgeous golden hues. Even in the dead of winter, they look stunning covered in a layer of frost. Honestly, there are so many reasons to clear some space for ornamental grasses in your backyard.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Most ornamental grasses originally come from open steppes or wide-open meadows. Only a handful of varieties are actually native to woodlands. This means that, for the most part, these plants are sun-worshippers that crave a lot of daily light. When you’re picking a spot, try to find the sunniest nook in your garden. If your yard is mostly trees and eaves, don’t worry—just make sure to choose specific varieties that thrive in the shade.
Get an Early Start
While we usually have to wait until the last frost passes to get most garden plants in the ground, you can actually get a head start with ornamental grasses. You can often start planting as early as February or March. Since growing these beauties from seed can be a bit of a headache, I definitely recommend buying established plants from a nursery to start. Once they’re settled and growing well, you can easily propagate them yourself by dividing the clumps.
The Right Soil
Aside from getting the light right, the “feel” of your soil is the next big thing. Most ornamental grasses are actually used to “lean” soil, meaning they don’t need a ton of extra nutrients or heavy fertilizers. What they *do* care about are these three things:
- Excellent drainage
- A sandy or gravelly texture
- Low lime content
Drainage is the absolute dealbreaker here. Almost all ornamental grasses hate “wet feet” (standing water). If the soil stays too soggy, the roots will rot pretty quickly, which can unfortunately kill the whole plant. Keep it well-drained, and your grasses will be happy campers!
