Blades of Grass

Maiden Grass - late summer

     Who has seen the wind

            neither you nor I,

     But when the trees bow down their heads

            the wind is passing by.

     

                                                  -Christina Rossetti

Maiden Grass - Fall

  There is an ease and beauty to grass that no other plant seems to have. I'm not sure if it is the simplicity of grass in the sense that it grows upwards and in clumps or because it's not simplistic and offers us so much in a single plant.
   It carries us through each season and with each season brings us a different look. Take Maiden grass for one, it starts off as long thick blades of grass in the spring growing taller, busier and thicker until mid summer when it starts to flower. By the end of August it is tall and majestic with large plumes, reddish in colour and by the time October comes around they have become large and fluffy.
   I love the way the wind and sunlight catches this grass and it is even better in the winter time when it gives an otherwise barren landscape so much life and character.

Zebra Grass - early fall

Zebra grass is much like Maiden grass as far as height and character. It is tall and strong but as the name suggests, it has like a Zebra, a lovely stipe to it. It also has a nice large plume that is in full bloom in the fall.

Zebra Grass - summe

   Northern Sea Oats is another favorite of mine. It has tall thin blades of grass showing themselves in the spring and blooming mid to late summer when it produces little flat oats. This plant is amazing in the wind. Because of the oats it has a wonderful rustling sound as is sways softly to any breeze.

Northern Oat Grass - late summer

  It is in full bloom in time for Thanksgiving and makes a perfect fall display. What I like to do is place them in a glass vase without water where they just dangle, hanging their heads looking beautiful.
  All of these grasses also work really well in any Halloween decor, especially the Maiden and Zebra Grass because of its tall, strong stems.

Northern Sea Oats

  Grasses are one of the plants that give a lot of character to a winter garden so I don't cut mine back until spring. Sometimes in the spring you will find that the grasses have begun to grow before you can cut them back, I just cut them back as usual and have never had a problem especially with the tall grasses.

A variety of grasses.

  There are also many smaller varieties of grass and most of them produce small plumes or flowers. I have a few in my garden, one is Blue Eyed Grass which produces beautiful tiny blue flowers in early summer and if I'm lucky again in late summer. I love this grass, it has such a big punch for such a small plant. Where  a number of grasses can become invasive this grass is not therefore taking up very little space.
  Unlike the Black Mondo grass that I have, it is black with a small white flower, looking a little like Lily of the Valley. It is also a small plant with big punch but it can be invasive. On the positive side though it is easy to control and is well worth the effort of growing it.

Blue-eyed Grass

  There are also a number of annual grasses if you don't want to commit to the perennial variety. They are great in your garden and work well in containers adding interesting texture to both.

   So don't forget about adding grasses to your garden, they require very little care and give a lot of character to both your summer and winter gardens.  They dance in the sun and are music to your ears on windy days.

Happy Gardening!

Black Mondo Grass