Ornamental Grasses

Pampas and ornamental grass care is very easy and following the tips below should ensure you get healthy, colourful grass.

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Feeding 
Grasses are very undemanding, but do benefit from two to three applications of a balanced liquid feed throughout the growing season. Avoid using a high nitrogen fertiliser, as this can cause grasses to become greener (not always the desired effect) and the further they’ll grow. This spreading habit is fine in a field, but in a garden they can become too lush and the flower quality may suffer. Even without feeding, most grasses will put on a first-rate show.

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Cutting back
Ornamental grasses fall into two groups: evergreen and deciduous. Deciduous grasses need cutting back annually to look their best. Generally, deciduous grasses should be trimmed to ground level before new growth starts in early spring. Evergreens pretty well just require a tidy-up in spring to remove any dying or dead leaves.

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Where to use
Ornamental grasses form clumps of relatively long, finely textured leaves. Grasses are very hardy and wonderfully versatile, creating an accent point near water features or around patios, edging around walkways or just as an interesting low maintenance ground cover. Grasses can be used in borders as individual eye-catchers, large or small. They can be repeated in drifts to create a natural look, with paths ambling through and between. Some can even be grown in containers, to help soften formal designs.

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Conditions
Most grasses are easy to grow and once established require little maintenance. For most, the main requirement is full sun; most tolerate a wide range of soils. Grasses are rarely affected by pests or diseases.

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