Incorporating Decorative Grasses into Your Landscape

Incorporating decorative grasses into your landscape design can transform your garden into a visually stunning and low-maintenance haven. Here’s how you can make the most of these versatile plants in Tennessee landscapes.

Why Choose Ornamental Grasses?

Ornamental grasses are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. They offer several benefits:

• Low Maintenance: Most ornamental grasses require minimal care once established.
• Drought Tolerance: Many varieties can thrive with little water, making them ideal for Tennessee’s climate.
• Erosion Control: Their deep root systems help stabilize soil on slopes.
• Year-Round Interest: Grasses provide visual appeal throughout the seasons, from green foliage in the summer to striking seed heads in the winter.

Top Ornamental Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

1. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

• Description: Compact, clump-forming grass with reddish-brown bottlebrush-like flower spikes.
• Benefits: Great for mass plantings or as a specimen plant. Adds a soft texture to the garden.
• Best Use: Pair with sedums and coneflowers for a stunning effect.

2. Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

• Description: Tall, upright grass with pale pink to silver flowers.
• Benefits: Excellent for screens and park-like settings. Provides a rustling sound in the wind.
• Best Use: Use in large gardens or as a privacy screen.

3. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

• Description: Tall grass with wispy seed heads that sway in the breeze.
• Benefits: Drought and flood-tolerant, making it versatile for different landscape designs.
• Best Use: Ideal for adding vertical interest and privacy.

4. Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

• Description: Beautiful medium-height flowing grass with pinkish-red seed heads in the fall.
• Benefits: Low maintenance, attractive to pollinators, and resistant to deer grazing.
• Best Use: Great as a focal point in borders or for screening in landscapes.

How to Incorporate Grasses into Your Landscape

1. As Borders and Edges: Use grasses to define garden borders and pathways. Their soft texture contrasts beautifully with hardscaping elements like stones and pavers.
2. Mixed Beds: Combine grasses with perennials and shrubs to create dynamic mixed beds. The movement and texture of grasses complement the static forms of other plants.
3. Focal Points: Use taller grasses like Maiden Grass as focal points in your garden. Their height and form draw the eye and can anchor a landscape design.
4. Erosion Control: Plant grasses on slopes to prevent soil erosion. Their root systems help hold the soil in place while adding beauty to the area.
5. Container Gardens: For smaller spaces, grasses can thrive in containers. This is a great option for patios and balconies where in-ground planting is not possible.

Caring for Ornamental Grasses

• Watering: While many grasses are drought-tolerant, new plants need regular watering until established.
• Pruning: Cut back grasses in late winter or early spring to make way for new growth. Remove dead or damaged foliage to maintain a tidy appearance.
• Fertilizing: Most ornamental grasses do not require heavy fertilization. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring is usually sufficient.

Beautiful and Versatile 

Ornamental grasses are a versatile and beautiful addition to any Tennessee landscape. Whether you’re looking to create a low-maintenance garden, add texture and movement, or stabilize a slope, there is a grass variety that will meet your needs. By choosing the right grasses and incorporating them thoughtfully into your design, you can enjoy a stunning and sustainable garden year-round.

Embrace the beauty and functionality of ornamental grasses to elevate your landscape and create an inviting outdoor space. Nature’s Best carries a large number of ornamental grasses year round, come by and make your selection today.