Ornamental Grass Is Not An Oxymoron

Tell me, what's the purpose of grasses for your garden?  Surely, they can't substitute for your centerpiece plants, right?  Though some grass types are remarkably beautiful, they're never distinct enough to command the focal point of your garden.  Indeed, landscape professionals and garden enthusiasts make use of grass to add texture and color to the garden.  The purpose of grass is supplementary in nature.  It seeks to reinforce the beauty that is expected to emanate from the focal plants in your area of green.

But times are changing.

Nowadays, ornamental grass is being utilized to enhance the majesty of any garden.  And often, ornamental grass becomes a solid aspect of any landscape.

There are many kinds of decorative grass.  Among them are Blue Fescue, Blue Stem, Blue Lymegrass, Plume Grass, Feather Reed Grass, and Perennial Fountain Grass.  There are more, of course, but these are currently the most popular decorative grasses today.

Why ornamental grass?  There are many reasons why people would rather use grass for decorative purposes, rather than conventional plants which used to be the norm.

* Grass is sturdier than most plants.  It could withstand severe weather conditions, and sudden changes in climate.  It requires less care and maintenance, as well.

* Grass is cheaper.  Resourceful people can actually get it for free.

* There are grass types that bloom some flowers of enchanting beauty.  These grass types also grow tall, in a manner that is different from the lawn grass we have become accustomed to.  They're perfect for dull areas in the garden.

* Most ornamental grass types do not spread as wildly and as fast as normal grass.  They are not as aggressively competitive for nutrients as well.  They are perfect companion greens to the other plants in your garden.

* Decorative grass, generally speaking, is easier to maintain, when compared to conventional grass.

There are some basics that you need to learn, of course.  Grass requires a regular supply of fertilizers to maintain the sharpness of the color it provides.  Additionally, with some grass types, you may be required to do some Spring cleaning, when the heat of the recent summer would have caused some of the stems to wither.

And though decorative grass does not compete with other plants, at least not as much as conventional grass, you still need to ensure a division between this grass type and your other plants, for aesthetic and practical purposes.