Small grasses

I've been reading Planting in a Post Wild World which has filled be with silly ideas I have allowed a 3x5 m section of my allotment as a flower bed for practicing on, so I was thinking of trying out this plant community meadow style planting. Part of it is having very small spreading but not thuggish ground cover. The book recommends some carex but they're mainly only in the US :D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Lynd, they're all great recommendations.

I do like Pampas grass as well! but think I'll try a different big one this time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi Jack,

We grow a few Carex's they're very easy plants to grow /look after.

Also I think a Festuca "Blue Elijah " would fit in well.

As GG says Ophiopogon Nigrescens grows well but although it looks like a grass it's actually a close relative of Lily of the valley and has similar flowers in pale purple.

 

So, what I've done is buy some seeds from Chiltern Seeds so I can have some quantity. They had:

Festuca amethystina
Carex grayi
Agrostis nebulosa

The last one I bought by mistake but will give it a go.

I am also growing Briza media which I grew from seed last year (but hasn't flowered yet). Though I hear this suffers from rust badly.

In the summer when the nurseries have more grasses and carex I will buy some of the ones you've mentioned as grown plants. I'll almost certainly buy some of the brown carex.

I think for the plant community idea you're supposed to find plants that spread rather than clump, which some carex do but I'll sort that later in the year :D

Will let you all know how it goes!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi Lynd. Great find. Hovering over the buy key on 2nd link. Will probably go for those. Thank you.

 

No worries Rustler thinking about the Festuca Elija blue myself!

Hey Jack, that Carex Greyi looks funky with the spikes and the agrostis nebulosa looks airy fairy. Cool plants!

 

Yes I thought the Agrostis in particular looked great - although it's not really a small grass :D more medium lol.

I like the Festuca elija. I am very tempted but might try and get it without the postage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk