Ornamental Grass
D0rdogne_Damsel
Posts: 3,975
Hi there,
I am looking for a good strong ornamental grass. It is to be put in a container to go on the patio next to the pool. It is a very hot sunny spot, sun on it most of the day. Conifers and other hedging means it's a sheltered spot. (in France, so 30 degrees is normal).
It needs to be OK with getting splashed with pool water and I really don't want bits dropping off everyday and ending up in the pool. Also, don't want it growing too fast and outgrowing the container.
I have seen some at a local lake, they have used it to create a walk through down to the beach area, it is a lovely bright green and nice and sturdy. However, I have no idea what it is called.
Would be very grateful for any advice on what to look for and if possible where to get it from. Am happy to grow from seed if necessary, not looking for an instant fix.
Many thanks.
Posts
..I grow Fargesia mureliae 'Simba' in a large container... it's very hardy, although can look a little tatty in winter... drought tolerant but enjoys a good watering to green it up should it start to dry out... I don't notice too many leaves on the ground, they tend to drop into the container... small leaves in any case... I've had it in this pot for a few years now...I think I repotted it once from a smaller one... but it's very compact...
.some people think of it as a type of bamboo rather than a grass, so maybe not for you..but something to consider perhaps...
Thank you, looks interesting, something to consider.
Have a look at penisetums and New Zealand phormiums. they come in interesting colours other than green so would stand out against your conifers. neither will cope outside if your winters are very cold so you'll need to mpve them into shleter if you go below -5C.
I shouldn't think chlorinated water would be good for any plant.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Wow, you are most definitely the 'go to' expert on grass. Thank you so much! I am scared to death of bamboo, have inherited one in the garden and battling to lose it - or at least reduce it by at least half.
Where would you suggest I buy the grasses from, are they easy from seed or do you recommend buying plants? I am in France and not particularly near any good nurseries so using internet. Seeds are obviously easier for delivery. At least now I have some names to go on I might be able to source them over here.
I have actually found a Miscanthus at the back of an overgrown flower bed I am clearing today, how do you go about getting cuttings?
Once again thank you, will send you a picture once we get going.
You can easily divide the miscanthus - they have quite fleshy roots.
Miscanthus are very hardy but all mine tend to like moisture so might be unhappy in pots where they can get too dry. You can usually split clumps of grass in spring to propagate them. They tend to sulk if done in autumn.
This company does some lovely grass seeds and some great perennials and veggies too. Just click on grasses to see the choices - http://www.plant-world-seeds.com/
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
..as I understood it, the member asked for an 'upright' grass, most of those listed Verdun, nice as many of them can be, are either floppy or cascading...or die down in winter...also it should be pointed out that you garden in south west Cornwall, whereas the member probably has a much different climate to contend with...both winter and summer...
Hello again, I will give you a bit more information if that helps with advice; climate here is early spring (from February can be T shirt weather), long hot days in summer 30- 40 degrees, but we do have a lot of thunders storms and heavy rain every week or so, so not completely parched. The autumn goes until late November but December and January can be very very cold, snow usually.
I want to use the grasses in pots to sit alongside (but not immediately next to) pool, running down the back of the terrace, using them to offer a bit of relief from the bright reflection of the patio and water, and perhaps a little bit of a screen (we are going to have a B&B here eventually when I tame the garden) between guests. They will be quite close to the sunbeds so don't want long dangling ones. I am going to put them in quite large pots (50 - 70 Litre perhaps) and will obviously water and feed them as required.
I will go to the lake later and take a photo of the ones I saw there that I really liked and maybe someone can identify them.
In the meantime, I have taken some pictures of grasses I have discovered in the garden here. They don't look very well and do need some attention, they are on my never ending list of tasks. Some identification and perhaps a guide as to their care needs would be most welcome and helpful.
You are all so helpful, it is wonderful to have such a font of knowledge at my fingertips, I am learning so much everyday.
Jacqui.
Maybe you have seen stipa tenuifolia near the lake? There is a plant and seed catalogue you can get here in France and also order online. The name of the company is Graines Baumaux. Worth looking at for all sorts of things.