The ornamental grasses are the type of grasses, which as the name suggests are commonly used in lawns and gardens to decorate it. The ornamental grasses come in many varieties, heights, colors, textures and have varying water requirements. These types of grasses are commonly used for groundcovers, specimen plants, for erosion control, and as vertical design elements. The ornamental grasses are quite popular and many lawn and garden owners are consistently searching for new varieties of these.
Some popular types of ornamental grasses are listed below. Oryzopsis hymenoides or the Indian rice grass: is narrow, medium-green leaves which form tufted clumps. This kind of ornamental grass exhibits airy flower panicles on wiry stems. It grows well in sands and well-drained soils and can turn dormant with summer heat.
Andropogon gerardii or Big bluestem : can be identified with blue green foliage in a stiff, upright clump. This grass blooms in fall and has three-branched seed heads resemble bird’s feet. It may turn orange during fall. Tolerates clay but best in sandy soil and prefers moisture, will withstand drier soils.
Festuca cinerea, F. glauca or Blue fescue: it is having small, blue to bright green clumps with tan to gold-toned seed-heads. This particular grass has many varieties. It is excellent for sands and not for heavy, wet soils.
Apart from these there are many varieties of the ornamental grasses, which you can find through your local nursery. These grasses certainly add aesthetic value to your garden and lawn.
