Just because you’ve jettisoned your water-hogging live lawn doesn’t mean you can’t have grass. We’ve discussed the many ways artificial grass can grace your yard, but there is another type of grass you should also consider, especially for a drought tolerant landscape. We’re talking about ornamental grasses.
These beauties can solve many landscaping challenges, but you may well want them simply for their stylish good looks. Why?
They come in just the right size for your space, big or small. For example, Elijah Blue fescue is a bluish gray variety with very fine leaves. It grows no taller than a foot. Love that blue color but want something in the 2-3 foot range? Blue oat grass is for you. For warm, rusty-red color, go with leatherleaf sedge. Miscanthus can be a stunning focal point or grouped as a living hedge, getting as tall as 4-6 feet when it blooms.
Different varieties have feathery flower plumes or striped leaves. Leave them in place for a striking winter impact, then cut them down in spring so they can grow right back.
No matter what type of hardscapes you have – decorative or purely practical — grasses soften their appearance.
Grasses are so versatile, you could design your entire landscape around them. But they make excellent companions for other types of trees, shrubs, and flowers.