Grasses choice ?

Hi all, I'm planning a border at the moment and fancied using a tall grass as a focal point. I have 3 grasses in mind at the moment and was wondering if anyone had any views on them or any experience ?
Calamagrostis overdam.
Miscanthus sinensus flamingo.
Stipa gigantea.

Gazania

 

Hi.

I quite like 'Zebra' grass (Miscanthus Zebrinus). Quite striking especially when the sun catches it. It seems fully hardy, having survived for the last three years since I planted it. Worth checking out

 

Hi Gazania ,
why don`t you go for more stable grass , that will make the garden look good even in winter?
like freddy suggest Miscanthus Zebrinus , reach to 1.5 mt in one season and hardy to -15 , same story with miscanthus giganteus up to 3 mt.
mondo grass (evergreen)
stipa tenuissima (evergreen)
hakonechloa (one of the most impressive)
pampas grass (old fashion but really impressive)

 

Hi miscanthus zebrinus is a plant I have heard of before. Would such a plant look more impressive planted in multiples ? In a bunch of 3 for instance ?
Gazania

 

Hi there

I have mine planted in a group of three, and I reckon they're quite impressive. They're planted around 2ft apart (should probably be more like 3ft), but I guess it depends how much space you have. At my last home, we had a pretty small garden, so there was really only space for one. Still looked good

 

Hi, and yes, hakonechloa macra aureola looks a quite impressive mound forming grass. Could look nice next to a path where it can flow over.

Gazania

 

I've got some Zebra grass ... but I think it looks a bit "unnatural" ...

For a tall grass my favourite is Miscanthus sacchariflorus (or maybe it is spelt sacchariflora or somesuch).

My all time favourite is Molinia Caerulea "Transparent", but it doesn't match your specification.

 

Hi, yes I know what you mean when you say the zebra grass looks a bit unnatural. It will work in lots of gardens but perhaps not in all gardens. I guess a lot also depends on what you plan to grow alongside it in the border.
Sacchariflorus is a nice looking grass too.
It would be good to see all the grasses in gardens instead of checking out the plants on the internet too.
The soil is quite sandy so this may also have some bearing on what grasses to go for.
Gazania

 

Miscanthus Gracillimus "Maiden Grass"

 

ooooh, now thats nice!

 

Wow, impressive grass !
I'm going to edge the border with some hakonechloa macra aureola. Or perhaps a tall centrepiece grass surounded by these ? Pennisetum's look good.
Gazania

 

There is an RHS trial report online which deals with various Miscanthus cultivars - worth looking at before you choose one.

 

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