 |
|
Editorial index
Just for today...
Sit back and resist the urge to putter.
Survey the beauty of an individual flower or
take in the garden as a whole feeling all around you.
Stop seeing the tiny flaws.
Enjoy the very simple pleasure of being in your
garden...
Today is not a work day.
|
|
Shauna's
Seasonal Editorial
Ornamental
Grasses
One of
the growing trends in gardening is ornamental grasses. Either on their
own or combined with perennials, heather and evergreen shrubs, grasses
are really interesting. They promote a coastal look as well as adding
the dimension of movement and sound to your garden. Here are a few of
our favourites:
Calamagrostis
x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
A very upright grass that grows about 4 1/2' tall. I's flower plumes
are slim beginning white and aging to tan. It stands up straight in
my garden even through the windy days. It is fully winter hardy (Zone
4). Plant in full or part sun in average well drained soil.
Carex
buchananii
A wonderful grass that is copper coloured year round with and arching
habit to 18 inches. I think it looks wonderful 12 months of the year
but it is spectacular in the fall and winter when it combines with the
fall and winter tones in the garden. Extremely effective surrounded
by evergreens so that the coppery colour is shown off to the maximum.
I must confess though when Nigel first wanted to add this plant to our
garden I was less than impressed with the brown colour I first saw,
now I see copper! Fully winter hardy (Zone 6). Plant in full sun or
shade in average to moist soil.
Chasmanthium
latifolium
What a find this grass is! The look of a dwarf bamboo with the most
interesting dangling flowers that I have seen described very accurately
as looking like shimmering schools of fish (see photo). This grass will
grow in both full sun and full shade in rich moist soil to a height
of 3 feet. Fully winter hardy (Zone 5).
Imperata
cylindrica 'Red Baron'
(Japanese Blood Grass)
Blood red tips adorn the leaves of this unusual and beautiful grass.
Having heard that this grass was difficult to grow, I was surprised
to find how easily it grows in my garden. It likes moist but well drained
soil in sun or part sun. Fully winter hardy (Zone 5) it grows 18 inches
tall.
Miscanthus
sinensis 'Variegatus'
I really like many of the Miscanthus grasses but I simply love the green
and white variegated leaves of this variety. A fairly large arching
grass that grows 5 to 6' in full or part sun. Fully winter hardy (Zone
5)
Pennisetum
setaceum 'Rubrum'
OK the first thing you need to know is that this grass is not winter
hardy in Campbell River; (Zone 9 we are Zone 7) gorgeous and dramatic
it is though. Lovely rosy plumes sit airy above deep purple foliage,
making an incredibly beautiful fall display. It looks great on its own
or in a mixed planting. Plant in full sun in average to moist soil perhaps
in a container so that you can try overwintering it a greenhouse or
shed.
...Experience
the Joy of Gardening!
|
