Too much nitrogen-rich fertilizers give rise to tall, weak stems. Foxtail Barley Ornamental Grass Seeds (Hordeum jubatum) 50+Seeds Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum) - If you like native ornamental grasses, try growing Foxtail Barley grass seeds. When fully grown, it needs minimal care with little watering in extreme drought-like conditions. It is also deer-resistant and is drought-tolerant once established. They are pest- and disease-resistant, but need pruning and an annual dose of fertilizer for maintenance. The exposed roots are an easy target to freeze out. Once the freezing temperatures give way to spring, you can replace them in the sunny outdoors. Let be the flower heads in winter or cut a few and bring them indoors to add to your flower arrangements. During fall, you can plant them in the warmer zones that don’t have harsh winters. These can be planted in various seasons, won’t get damaged due to pests or diseases, are resistant to deer, come in different shapes and … They don’t need regular watering, except in severe drought-like conditions. Pampas Grass is not ideal for cold regions. Make sure you’re wearing gloves and long-sleeved shirt while pruning because of its sharp foliage. However, the 'Rubra' cultivar is relatively less aggressive and is sold in garden centers in many cold-winter areas, where it is easier to control than in warmer zones. Ornamental Grasses Perfect for creating elegant ‘privacy screens’ or as borders and backgrounds for flower beds. The lawn experts at DIYNetwork.com show you various ornamental grasses and their characteristics to help you choose the best ones for your lawn. It can be identified by its fountainlike silver-blue blades with a light beige dome that appears in the summer. To add more confusion, turf fescues are classified as tall fescues, the seeds of which were brought to the United States from Europe in the early 19th century. 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers, 8 Best Ornamental Grasses to Add Privacy to the Garden, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home, 15 Best Zone 8 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, 13 Types of Colorful Ornamental Grass for Fall, 11 Great Fragrant Trees for Your Landscape. They are also available in cool and warm season varieties; growth varies from spreading, which grow best in a meadow-like area; and clump-forming types, which grow in clumps increasing in girth with time. When it starts to spread out and the feathered flowers resemble wheat, it is time to deadhead the grass. Egyptian Papyrus fits nicely into the ornamental grass category. Plus, unlike many other ornamental grasses, feather reed grass doesn't mind heavy clay soil that drains slowly. Hakone in Japan and is popular for its beautiful and exotic clumping habit. This ornamental grass is extremely adaptable and fits great for your home landscape if you keep its invasive nature in check. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. How low does blue fescue (Festuca glauca) grow? Learn more about the ideal hardiness zone for your preferred choice of fountain grass on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. This no-fuss ornamental grass grows in just about any condition and is a perfect-fit as low-maintenance plant. Ornamental grasses come with meager water and maintenance requirements; they even complement your yard and give it a polished appearance. And their delicate flower tassels and plumes -- called inflorescences -- inspire evocative names, such as … Possessing a similar deep-red, purplish- bronze color, New Zealand flax's leaves are more broad or strap-like than the finer fountain grass. They bloom early in the season and have a tall and … and maiden grass (Miscanthus sp. Once established, ornamental grasses are tolerant to drought-like conditions; it’s advised that you water the young grass … If the climate in your location is severe, the best way to preserve ornamental grasses is mulching them. Mexican feather grass survives in dry conditions and thrives just fine after being cut back. For nearly nonstop performance, strength, and visual impact, few plants compare to ornamental grasses. It is hardy only to zone 9; in cold-winter areas, it is typically grown as an annual. Divide cool season grasses in springtime or early on in fall. They are highly drought-tolerant and can grow in any soil type as long as it drains well. Tall ornamental grasses provide color, texture and motion to the landscape, generally remaining attractive year-round with minimal care. There whimisical movement, rich color and unique texture are some of the main highlights of ornamental perennial grasses. Like its taller cousins, small ornamental grass varieties are highly resistant to pests and disease that can overtake other, less hardy plants. Make sure the soil is well-drained and it isn’t overtly nutrient-rich. The mature size of this grass is fairly predictable—usually 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Cultivars such as 'All Gold' and 'Aureola' have variegated green and gold leaves. It survives either wet or bone dry conditions and grows in either full sun or deep shade. Maiden Grass - Very Tall Ornamental Grass, Perfect for Borders and Fence Plantings This gorgeous, tall and wide grass is sure This gorgeous, tall and wide grass is sure to be an instant enhancement to the dimensional quality of your garden. If you need them like a wall, plant them closer. Unlike flowers and shrubs, ornamental grasses don’t need too much pampering – they are long-term investments and are born survivors. Since they have good resistance to most diseases and pests, they fit perfectly well in your yard. This tall, ornamental grass is known for its silky, feathery plumes....getting to 80 inches tall. This prairie grass with delicate, feathery flowers is common to the Midwest Prairies and the Savannas of Eastern United States. Once split apart, the new divisions simply do not have time to establish their root systems.