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planting grasses

B3B3 Posts: 26,952
Hi Chaps I'm finally ready to plant my grasses and I realise that, although I have a rough idea how high they will grow, I have no real idea about the elbow room that they need. Could someone please advise the amount of space needed by the following: Miscanthus Cabaret Miscanthus Sinensis Yaku Jima Miscanthus Strictus Pennisetum avente rubrum Stippa Carex Testacea prairie fire Have bought a few bits and pieces to interplant, but the grasses are the priority Thanks in advance B
In London. Keen but lazy.

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  • B3B3 Posts: 26,952
    That would be great Verdun. My prepared patch is about 20ft x about 5-6 ft. with a 5 ft fence with trellis on top behind. I suspect the patch will grow as I'm finding the grasses irresistible!

    I bought an achillea Desert Eve Red and will plant some cosmos next year. I don't really fancy yellow but any other colours would be good. My favourite so far is the Pennisetum rubrum. I want the effect to be quite 'open' and moving in the physical rather than the emotional sense, but emotionally moving would not be unacceptable either!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,952
    Looks like one for a pot in the porch! Will look out for the ones you recommend.

    I'm disappointed. If it survives the winter , I will put the pot out for the summer. Thanks for warning me

    The porch is my unheated greenhouse. It's going to get a bit crowded. Maybe I should move the gas meter!3
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,818

    B3 - imperata Red Baron is not hardy here and nor are any of the pennisetums or stipas or uncinias.   Verdun gardens in the very mild south west so he can grow many plants that just won't do in a colder, wetter climate.

    Miscanthus, molinia, carex and hakonechloa are much hardier.   When planting perennials in between, allow space for the foliage of the grasses to do their fountain thing.   They can be much wider than their root ball would suggest and you don't want the foliage spilling over and hiding your perennials.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,952
    Thanks for advice and beautiful pictures. I've planted the miscanthus in a pot in the soil with a slab underneath so that it doesn't get any ideas about rooting. Will move it inside when it gets cooler. I've planted everything else. Have tried a variety of types and will see what survives. I think I might be developing a bit of a passion for grasses! I know I've made some mistakes and I'll lose some. Thought it might be an idea to see what's outside in the garden centres after the first frost. That might give me a clue to what's got a chance. Have had some dire warnings from local gardeners about spreading and self-seeding so some must survive! Thanks again. Hope you won't mind me picking your brains again later. B
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,952
    Will do.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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