Ornamental grasses: the eye-catchers of autumn
When you think of the autumn season, you quickly think of falling leaves, the branches of shrubs and trees becoming increasingly bare and lots of wet days. It can't do any harm to brighten up this picture. Plants that are perfect for this are ornamental grasses. They make radiant eye-catchers in your garden in autumn, as autumn is the flowering period for ornamental grasses, when they display red, orange and yellow hues. So give those attractive plumes pride of place!
The benefits of ornamental grasses
It is not only a good idea to plant ornamental grasses in your garden because of their aesthetic value. There are many more reasons why these garden plants are so popular. We would like to list them for you.
- Ornamental grasses are very strong plants that are easy to maintain and require little pruning and fertiliser. They are also drought resistant and can resist diseases and pests well, making them last for years!
- Ornamental grasses are good for biodiversity in your garden. They provide shelter for small animals and insects, and the varieties that form seeds serve as a food source for birds. In addition, they help to stabilise the soil and prevent erosion.
- Ornamental grasses add relief and dynamism to your garden. Their playful shape helps to create height and depth in gardens, and the panicles, leaves and seed heads always brighten up a border or planting area.
- Ornamental grasses come in many varieties and sizes, varying in size, colour, shape and texture. The variation in height and colour makes them suitable for all sorts of combinations and garden applications, from ground cover to background plants. So there is always a variety that suits your gardening needs.
- Ornamental grasses are weather resistant and beautiful in different seasons. For example, there are hardy ornamental grasses that can withstand frost well and provide beautiful structure even in winter, and there are ornamental grasses that are very wind-resistant and do well in windy areas.
Planting in autumn
Autumn can also be an ideal time to plant garden plants, including ornamental grasses. In autumn, the soil is often still quite warm from the summer months and it is nice and damp outside. Great ingredients to give newly planted ornamental grasses a push in the right direction during the growth process.
Some favourite ornamental grasses to plant in autumn are Miscanthus sinensis, Festuca glauca, Imperata cylindrica and Pennisetum. Each is a beautiful ornamental grass to behold and each has its own decorative characteristics. You can plant them as solitary plants, for example, or as part of a mixed border. Ornamental grasses are extremely versatile!