Grasses for movement and structure
Ornamental grasses go in and out of fashion. They aren’t to everyone’s taste, lending a loose, naturalistic look to the garden that to some people’s eye spells untidiness. But used in a considered way they can be fantastic assets, bringing colour and structure to the garden in autumn and winter, and even more importantly, movement. Use them in drifts or as I do, dotted around randomly as linking plants to contrast with and take the intensity out of other herbaceous plantings. There are lots of different species and varieties to choose from, with many suited to dry and sunny conditions, some to wetter soils, and a select few for shady conditions, mentioned towards the end of this article. The following are the grasses I’m using in my own garden, mostly in sunny borders in a moisture-rententive soil.
Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
This has been a stalwart in all three of the gardens I have made in the past 15 years. Adaptable to most soils in a sunny situation, it is tall and robust with a columnar habit. Its tactile blond flower heads appear in summer, gradually narrowing to wheat-brown fronds all winter. I cut it back at the beginning of March when its new green shoots are starting to appear. I think you need groups of this grass to work well, perhaps snaking through a border or arranged in random groups rather than single specimens which can look a bit lonely, standing up poker-straight on their own.
Calamagrostis and Molinia ‘Transparent’ in my garden, mid October
Molinia ‘Transparent’
I have been in two minds about this grass as it is almost too transparent and unnoticeable against my strong green laurel hedge background. But I saw it recently in Dan Pearson’s garden and thought it looked so beautiful. His plants (of course) were much bigger than mine and much more beautiful. Then I went out the other day at sunset and my best molinia just stopped me in my tracks, catching the light in such an amazing way, like spun gold. The arching fronds have prominent seeds along them, shining beads that catch the light. It made me decide to persevere with it and realise that some plants just aren’t designed to be amazing all year round. They should be allowed to have their moment.
Molinia ‘Transparent’ catching the sun
Stipa gigantea
I love this for its explosive, fan-shaped stems that reach up to 2m with possibly the same span. Yet its semi-transparent nature means that it can be grown with all sorts of other plants without muscling in and taking over. In my garden its early summer companions are similarly tall Campanula ‘Loddon Anna’ and later Aster umbellatus and Aster turbinellus. The stipa is planted almost at the front of the border, with geraniums and alchemilla at its foot, but it doesn’t block out what’s behind it. It’s an understated beauty that manages to look both designed and naturalistic.
Stipa gigantea fanning out over the border
Stipa tenuissima
This is two-a-penny as it self seeds like mad – in fact in some areas of the US it is classified as an invasive weed. But I think it is one of the most useful small grasses to pad out and soften a border, providing year-round interest. In my garden it is dotted about among cottage garden plants like geraniums, honesty, sedums, foxgloves…. etc. It breaks everything up and reduces the intensity, bringing movement into the garden and a more natural look. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and can just be left to its own devices. The only time it begins to look messy is if the seed heads mat together when it rains, and the best solution is to ‘comb’ the plants with your hands, pulling out the dead seed heads and leaving the new green fronds. You can cut them back in winter but I prefer to leave them to grow organically.
Stipa tenuissima
Stipa tenuissmia with sedum and rudbeckia
Anemanthele lessoniana
This is one of the most useful grasses for both sun and shade, with fountain-like fronds that turn russet in autumn. It may not flower brilliantly in shade, but I don’t think that matters as the leaves themselves are so attractive. According to the ornamental grass specialists at Knoll Gardens, it will even thrive in dry shade, so it’s good for the base of a tree.
Melica uniflora Alba
This is a small, unassuming grass with grain-like white inflorescences that contrast with fresh green leaves. Also good for dry shade, it is great as a filler plant and will gradually colonise if it’s happy.
