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Ornamental Grass

Ornamental Grass is one of those perennials that is relative cheap to buy, very low maintenance and you can let your imagination go in the uses of it.

Ornamental grasses for landscaping can provide your backyard landscape beds with height, interesting colors, textures, sound and contrast. Many ornamental grasses retain their foliage throughout the year, adding fall and winter landscape interest to your backyard.

With so many varieties of ornamental grasses you are sure to find one that you truly like and can use in your backyard.

One thing to keep in mind is that some ornamental grasses will grow quite large and will become to big for an area, when they reach their mature size.

When shopping read the tags on the plants to find out the mature sizes, growth habits and growing zone.

Ornamental Grass Design Tips

Ornamental grass works well when planted in groups or masses. But before you go planting in masses make sure your landscape bed is large enough to handle the mature size of some grasses.

Taller ornamental grasses work well in perennial flower beds to create a backdrop for your other perennials, annuals and shrubs.
Some grasses work well with container flower gardening.Grasses planted along with annuals these are really great when used on the patio or deck.
Overall planting ornamental grass in your backyard will add character with the various textures and colors available.
Combine evergreens or boxwood shrubs with your ornamental grass for year round interest.

One of my favorite combinations is using a group feather reed grass as a back drop to a mass of red or pink carpet roses.

To get a good feel on what type of ornamental grass you would like in your backyard. Check with local nurseries, magazines, books or online nurseries like Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

My favorite book is the The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses.

Lots of pictures and also covers Sedges, Rushes, Restios, Cat-tails, and Selected Bamboos

Uses and Aspects of Ornamental Grass

Natural fences
Hide Utilities
Softens structures (Fences, Sheds)
Focal Points
Ground cover (using the smaller grasses)
Provides habitat for wildlife
Deer resistant
Revitalizes poor soils
Many varieties are drought tolerant, once established
Slope stabilization
Largely unaffected by disease and pests
Useful in a wide range of soil types
Perfect for swimming pool landscaping, adds that exotic look

More Ornamental Grass Information

Here are some more pictures and descriptions for ornamental grasses for landscaping

Dwarf Ornamental Grass Design
A 3D design using "Little Bunny" fountain grass

"A picture is worth a thousand words" This quote rings so true when it comes to landscaping. We see all those landscaping pictures in magazines and books. But I have a feeling that the vistors to backyard-landscape-ideas.com, have some great backyard pictures themselves. I would love to see them and I know visitors looking for landscape ideas would too. Click here to share and see other pictures.

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