Flowering ornamental grass, Pennisetum spp.

Ornamental grasses can add beauty to a landscape, but if not carefully designed, they might appear messy. These grasses offer several benefits: they work well in mass plantings, on slopes, provide seasonal color, and attract wildlife by offering resources. However, ornamental grasses spread by seed and often rely on fire for maintenance in the wild. In residential settings, when cut back to six inches, they can look unappealing for three to four months. Ornamental grasses should be trimmed during winter. With thoughtful design, though, they can be an ideal choice for a low-maintenance and attractive landscape.

While visiting a client, I passed this Mid-century modern home and couldn't resist stopping to admire the elegant landscape. It's a wonderful demonstration of how ornamental grasses can be used effectively. Encircling a native River Birch, these grasses stood out—swaying gracefully with the wind and displaying vibrant autumn hues.

So, how did the homeowner accomplish such a beautiful landscape using ornamental grass?

• Right plant, right place. They selected a Fountain grass, Pennisetum spp. that needed full sun and mesic soils.

• The grasses were spaced close appropriately, 3 to 6 feet on center, depending on mature size.

• They installed the proper amount for mass plantings. The total amount of plants was between 50 and 75+ three-gallon plants.

• The homeowner does not overwater. Grasses like moisture if they have soils with good drainage. Water 1x to 2x a week is all that’s necessary.

• Mulching the landscape bed will only be needed once or twice until the grasses are established.

The landscape enhances the home by providing natural beauty throughout the year, supporting environmental sustainability, and supplying resources for local birds.

My favorite ornamental grasses to use in my landscape designs are Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, several varieties of Lomandra longifolia, ‘Everillo’ Japanese sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’), Fountain grasses, (Pennisetum spp.), ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet (Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’) as an annual grass, and the blue-green Juncus inflexus 'Blue Dart'.