Hardy grasses: choice of variety and proper care

Grasses usually dry up in winter. Here is a selection of hardy grasses that will sprout again next spring if cared for properly.

In addition to the heart-shaped, oval or rounded foliage of smaller or larger perennials, the long lanceolate leaves of grasses (Poales) an interesting contrast. If they are not cut back in autumn, grasses can provide a stage for impressive natural spectacles. After all, who doesn't like looking at the hoarfrost on the long stalks and fruiting bodies when the winter sun shines on them? And last but not least, some grasses are captivating - such as the lamp cleaner grasses (pennisetum) – especially in winter with their sometimes strikingly beautiful infructescence. Planting a selection of hardy grasses in your garden is always worthwhile.

Hardy grasses: Particularly hardy species and varieties

When you think of particularly hard-wearing grasses, maybe the first thing that comes to mind Carex and Luzula to mind. In fact, these two representatives are very robust and can be found in many private gardens. In addition to the practical component, one advantage lies in the color variety of the straws. The following grasses can hopefully offer you new ideas and design options:

• Carex morrowiiˈVariegataˈ
  The robust ornamental grass impresses with its dark green leaves, which are lined with narrow, high-contrast and whitish edges. It grows nicely compact and small (height up to 30 cm).
• Carex morrowiiˈAureovariegataˈ
  This grass is particularly similar to its close relative 'Variegatata', but the narrow leaf margins are golden yellow.

• Luzula nivea
  Also known as snow marbel, this grass shines with dainty deep green leaves. In summer we are particularly pleased with the pretty, white flower pods.
• Luzula sylvatica
  This is a native wild species that is characterized by its typically shiny leaves. The forest marbel, as it is also known, grows very well even in dry, shady locations.

Hardy grasses: as a privacy screen

When you hear the word "privacy protection" you usually think of green hedge strips or brick buildings. However, it is easy to forget that grass species also reach such heights and densities. Even in winter, the grass can protect you from prying eyes, even if it has dried up. In the spring, however, they have to be cut back, so that year after year there is a period without protective grass. Luckily, the grasses quickly return to their original heights. Anyone different from the ordinary Book- (Fagus) or cherry laurel hedges (Prunus laurocerasus) as a privacy screen and want to try something new, you should make a note of the following ornamental grasses and maybe even put these ideas into practice in your own garden:

• riding grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)
  This plant is a stately, upright growing ornamental grass. It can be used at the edges of beds and act as an attractive privacy screen. Due to its infructescence, it also has a high ornamental value in winter. It is particularly suitable for sunny locations, reaches a height of up to 130 cm and is in full bloom in July and August.
• pile pipe (Arundo donax)
  The reed originally came from southern Europe. Although it rarely blooms in our region, it reaches an unbeatable height of up to 3 meters. It is advisable to plant the individual pole tubes offset because of their size. Accordingly, you should plan enough space.

• Chinese reed (Miscanthus sinensis ˈsilver featherˈ)
  Chinese reed is particularly attractive near water or in connection with the surrounding architecture. Due to its size (up to 2 meters), it can also protect against prying eyes. The panicles of flowers often remain until winter and have a high ornamental value.
• Miscanthus giganteus
  Another great representative of Chinese ornamental grasses is Miscanthus giganteus. This does not form any spurs that could affect nearby flower beds and lawns, and has a high opacity in the winter months. The ideal location here ranges from sunny to semi-shady. If the ornamental grass feels good, it grows about 3 meters in height.

Hardy grasses for the tub

Certain grasses can look extremely attractive in containers, either in company or alone. Of course, you should always make sure that the pot size is sufficient, as large-growing plants in small pots can never exploit their potential and quickly lose their decorative value. The size of the pot should be about two to three times the size of the plant's root ball. The bucket is also well protected from the winter cold by placing it near a house wall or wrapping it with fleece. This prevents the rhizome from freezing and ensures the survival of the plant. In this context, frost resistance should be considered when choosing any plant, because each plant has its own Home in other areas with other weather conditions and there are also very different frost zones in Germany gives. For you as a gardener, this means that you have to provide thicker winter protection in Bavaria than in Hamburg, as the frost temperatures can last longer here. The following ornamental grasses are suitable for the bucket in the garden or in the conservatory:

• Blue fescue (Festuca cinerea)
  The grass with the blue-grey foliage forms beautiful hemispherical clumps. It is not sensitive to drought and reaches a height of about 15 cm.
• Bearskin Fescue (Festuca gautieri)
  The evergreen cushions of Bearskin fescue consist of fresh green, needle-shaped leaves. They are so dense that they are reminiscent of a bear's pelt.

• Real sheep fescue (Festuca ovina)
  The real sheep's fescue forms beautiful hemispherical clumps with its grey-blue leaves. Green-yellow flowers from May to July.
• Blue Iridescent Grass (Koeleria glauca)
  This grey-green grass is also native to Europe. With its inflorescences, the blue iridescent grass can reach heights of up to 40 cm outdoors, but it usually stays a little smaller in pot culture.
• Delicate feather grass (Stipa tenuissima)
  As the name suggests, the delicate feather grass is characterized by its very delicate and soft leaves. Beautiful silver to white flowers can be seen from June to July.

Hardy grasses: care & cut properly

As a rule, the care of ornamental grasses is not particularly complicated. Most of the ornamental grass species prefer a nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil. representative like Calamagrostis or miscanthus feel particularly comfortable in the sun, whereas Carex thrives in the shade. Overall, however, the tolerance to light conditions is very good and sometimes shady grasses can also grow in sunnier locations.
But be careful: At low temperatures, ground frost can occur, which makes it difficult to absorb water. In strong sunlight, the plant loses a lot of water, but can draw little to no water from the soil. It is therefore advisable not to place hardy plants in full sun.

water & fertilizer

Ornamental grasses also have an above-average tolerance to drought, which is why regular watering is not necessary, except in very long dry periods. The nutrient requirements of the small to medium-sized grasses are very limited. It is sufficient to add some compost to these bed sections in the spring, so that the soil life ensures a small but long-term supply by decomposing the compost. With large grasses, which are also ideal as privacy screens, you can also add liquid fertilizers because there is a risk that the already large stalks will become even larger and thus more unstable and finally snap off. The cutting measures for wintergreen grasses are limited to removing dead leaves and inflorescences. You should remove the latter to avoid uncontrolled spreading to other beds.

Care for grasses in tubs

If you comply with the following points, you ensure an all-round carefree package for every ornamental grass in the bucket:

• Adequate drainage in the form of potsherds or clay beads on the bottom of the bucket
• Use nutrient-rich but not too heavy substrate
• Regular watering prevents the root ball from drying out
• Regular repotting keeps the plant and the soil life in the pot healthy and ensures vitality and willingness to bloom

Cutting hardy ornamental grasses

The pruning measures for the ornamental grasses are limited to cleaning out the brown and withered parts of the plant and to a strong pruning in spring. This guarantees that the grasses can optimally sprout again and form a new, vital nest.

Further hardy plants we have compiled for you here.