Short or Tall grasses? For what situations? Foliage ? Flowers?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Ned, Feb 19, 2018.

  1. martin-f

    martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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    Theirs a few experts on here our friend @Verdun certainly knows his onions :dbgrtmb:
     
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    • Ned

      Ned Evaporated

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      Yep, and his grasses.... and perennials. Not a bad teacher I reckon.... shutup - we don`t want him to get big headed :nonofinger:
       
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      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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        With thanks to @Verdun :dbgrtmb:
        I have stripped your suggested grass types out of your very extensive and useful post, hope it's OK . I am going to have a ponder on this over the next couple of days !

        Acorus Ogon
        arrhenatherum bulbosum
        Bowles Golden Grass
        calamagrostis avalanche
        calamagrostis karl foster
        Carex Testacea
        Comans Bronze
        Deschampsias
        Elymus magellanicus
        hackonechloa macra aureola
        helictotrichon
        hordeum jubatum
        Imperata Red Baron
        libertias....Goldfinger
        Miscanthus variegatus
        ophiopogon nigrescens
        Pennisetums Villosum,
        Pennisetums Hamlyn
        Stipa arundinacea
        Stipa tennuissima
         
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        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Not strictly a grass martin but nice. Has pinkywhite flowers in summer too. :)
           
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          • Verdun

            Verdun Passionate gardener

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            Harry....brilliant.:)
            (I guess Ive made you a little poorer!! Worth it though:))
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              We have a nursery a couple of miles away that specialises in ornamental grasses . I have not visited it yet . When things are getting going in mid spring I'll pay a call.
              I find garden centres tend to charge £7-8 for grasses . I am growing another 3 types from seed now.
               
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              • Fern4

                Fern4 Total Gardener

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                I like this one ....pics off the net. I could seriously get into grasses!

                [​IMG]

                It's called hakonechloa macra aureola. It's good for shade.

                And this one.....

                [​IMG]

                Hakonechloa macra 'Nicolas'
                 
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                • Doghouse Riley

                  Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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                  I've been impressed with the variety of grasses shown on here.
                  Ours are not so. In fact one of them I dug up and reduced the clump significantly before replanting as it was taking over. It was one of several we bought one year when we were on holiday in Cornwall. I've also cut the spread back of the others, as we've now an acer, another azalea and a hydrangea in there now.

                  We always brought something back, our most durable are the cyclamen we bought from the same garden centre, near Charlestown.

                  P1030203.JPG
                   
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                    Last edited: Feb 22, 2018
                  • Verdun

                    Verdun Passionate gardener

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                    The finest of all grasses fern4
                    I have several varieties of hackonechloa here ....in large containers and in the ground. They add a classy look to the garden. Yes, great for shade but I also have them in sunshine but dont let them dry out :)
                    Another variety is All Gold.....superb with purple perennials :)
                    Envious of your acer DHR......they dont like it here; too near the coast :)
                     
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                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                      Thank you Verdun this is it.
                      DSC_0146.JPG
                       
                    • Verdun

                      Verdun Passionate gardener

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                      Dig it up......you should be able to separate some good pieces. Add a little compost to the soil at planting time Martin. I like to grow them on in pots first.
                      Its a difficult one to place in the garden......in a terracotta pot is good. Nice with a yellow perennial......campanula Dicksons Gold, for example....or a red heuchera. Or grasses like blue festuca and yellow Bowles Golden Grass :)
                       
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                      • martin-f

                        martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                        Thank you Verdun, it comes under the fence every year, the last few ive dug it out but its grown on me :),

                        I made a little rockery/waterfall by the pond and i think it would look nice there i do have a blue festuca in there and a few heather's, i think i will gradually lose the heather's to a different area and replace them with grasses.
                         
                      • HarryS

                        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                        Fern , I have just ordered a packet of seeds for hakonechloa macra aureola. Looks a lovely grass , just that the name is such a mouthful !
                         
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                        • Fern4

                          Fern4 Total Gardener

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                          Yep it looks really nice. I think it would brighten up a shady corner. I might get some seeds myself. Where did you buy yours from?
                           
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                          • HarryS

                            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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