ANDY STURGEON ON GRASSES
How long have grasses been used in Gardens?
We've used grasses for decades but we didn't have many to choose from until recently. Think about Pampas which was big in the seventies and then nothing much happened until the early nineties when we got a big influx especially from Germany.
Is it a passing fad or are they here to stay?
They are definitely here to stay, many designers couldn't imagine not having them in their palette as they add a different texture which no other group of plants can provide.
Does the scale of a garden or landscape project affect which grasses you use? Can they be used on a large scale Landscape project?
On larger scale projects I would avoid those that self seed or only live for a few years such as Stipa tenuissima. The clump forming Pennisetum and Miscanthus are particularly good as they are reliable and last for years with minimal maintenance.
Do they all need sun or are there some that grow well in shade?
There are some excellent grasses for shade including some of the best - Melica uniflora albida. Luzula will also thrive. Many such as Anemanthele lessoniana and Deschampsia will do well in partial shade. Carex pendula will grow in dry shade but it self seeds so prolifically that it can be a problem.
What about soil conditions and grasses?
Many prefer reasonably fertile moist well drained soil although there are of course exceptions. Molinia will thrive in poor soil whilst Deschampsia favours heavy soil. Over fertile soils can make some grasses including Stipa Calamagrostis rather floppy.
How do grasses affect Light and Form in a garden?
Some clump forming grasses including Miscanthus and Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster' can be considered to provide structure in the garden with their compact and distinct forms which contrast well with their neighbours. The colour is important too and many of the inflorescences of grasses start pale green and as they ripen turn a wonderful parchment of golden colours and then the leaves may do the same. The flowers are particularly good at catching the light and some of the best are Hordeum jubatum, Stipa tenuissima, Stipa gigantea, Panicum, Molinia and Deschampsia.
How about adding Sound and Movement?
Like bamboos many ornamental grasses have a way of harnessing the breeze and animating a garden with sound and movement as they rustle and sway. Some of the larger Miscanthus and Stipa gigantea are amongst the best.
Do you have some favourite combinations, for smaller and larger sites?
For a sunny spot I like to mix large drifts of the soft pale Stipa tenuissima with orange Tulipa ‘Ballerina', Euphorbia martinii and clipped box balls. Large open sites are suited to prairie planting and I tend to mix Miscanthus ‘Ferne Osten', M. ‘Kleine Silberspinne' and Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Katrl Foerster' with Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Veronicastrum and Sedum.
Can you grow grasses successfully in containers?
Yes, as long as you provide good drainage and choose species which don't mind things a little on the dry side. The following are all good candidates: Pennisetum villosum, Carex morrowii ‘Evergold', Uncinia rubra, Elymus magellanicus
Are there any books you recommend on grasses?
‘Grasses' choosing and using these ornamental plants in the garden by Roger Grounds covers everything from designing with grasses to caring for them.
ISBN 1-84400-159-8
Which Suppliers would you recommend?
Knoll Gardens
Beth Chatto
Orchard Dene Nurseries
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