Ornamental Grasses

Is it hard or easy to grow blue and black grasses? I've looked them up and they seem hardy enough, and I like them. Is there anything I need to know before I get some?

 

Not strictly a grass, but Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens is a fantastic plant!
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisle...th/November/Ophiopogon-planiscapus-Nigrescens
Good for pots and borders.
I grow Festuca glauca which is OK when young and it self-sows so the old tatty plants can be removed.

 

So could you keep it overwinter in a cold location in a pot?

 

Ophiopogon? I'd say yes..used to have terracotta bowls of it interplanted with Cyclamen coum. The pots gave up but the plants were still going strong.
Festuca I would think so, the worst threats to that are winter wet and cats!

 

Ok thank you. Maybe solved a problem area for me then.

 

I love the 'black grass' too I've had some for years, it spreads slowly via underground runners and also self seeds occasionally, its a wonderful plant and its survived winters down to -15 for me

 

I got both in my garden, like Noisette says it self seeds it's self everywhere. In April I cut mine right back and it sends lovely new blue grass out. The black grass is great too but slower growing.

 

Would blue or black grass grow in an awkward corner by a shed, facing north east ? In shadow from about noon onwards.

 

Ophiopogon isn't too fussed about shade, but Festuca can be a disappointment unless it's in full sun and fairly well-drained soil. One plant that comes to mind that would do well there is Liriope. It makes a low, grass-like tuft and has pretty strings of lilac flowers followed by berries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liriope_muscari There are also white-flowered and variegated-leaf forms.

 

That looks nice, thanks - hadn't seen that before.