April 24, 2006

Ornamental grasses add interest to Wyoming landscapes

By Tom Heald, extension educator
University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service,
And Mary Sabel,
Master Gardener emeritus

            It’s no coincidence ornamental grasses are being used more and more by Wyoming landscapers and gardeners. They are extraordinarily resilient in our climate and add height, contrast and color to the garden year-round. 

            In winter, they provide a magnificent backdrop to other plants and landscape features, softening the season’s harshness when most perennials have gone back to being an unnoticed rosette of dried leaves at ground level. 

            Further, ornamental grasses are some of the most wind-resistant plants. They can handle our Wyoming winds and still look like champs; some can even serve as miniature windbreak plantings for less wind-tolerant plants.  

            Unlike our traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawns, these grasses require no more than average garden watering twice a month after they are established.

            Here are a few ornamental grasses to consider in Wyoming:

            1. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native clump forming grass of the eastern plains of Wyoming. It breaks dormancy in late spring and develops a pleasant blue-green color as the summer heats up. The orange autumn color is particularly outstanding and is especially appreciated in the winter landscape. Height is 1 to 2 feet depending upon the amount of water given.

            2. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) grows like a tower up to 4 feet tall and only 2-foot wide! The narrow green leaves are topped with wheat-colored blooms in early summer and remain that way throughout the winter. This is one of the most vertical grasses on the market today. 

            3. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has many cultivars to choose from. The grass foliage emerges in spring with ends tipped in red. In summer, the reddish-pink seed heads offer a dramatic backdrop to the garden.

            Some of the most dramatic effects occur when ornamental grasses are planted in mass.             

            These grasses do their best in full sun conditions. Of the ones listed, Karl Foerster can handle partial shade (6 hours of sun). They require minimal care and very little or no fertilizer.

            In early spring, before new growth starts, cut back the grasses to 3 to 4 inches above the surface of the soil. 

            There are many other ornamental grasses that will work on your property. Don’t hesitate to contact a nursery professional in your area for recommendations.

###

Return to main list