Tall ornamental grasses

Top 10 ornamental grasses, part 2 tall grasses


Ornamental grasses look good in any garden, both in tight urban gardens and rural cottages. They are available in all colours and sizes. From graceful grasses with fine and delicate flower plumes to lush autumn colours. As an imposing eye-catcher or addition to the border. There is something for everyone. Moreover, ornamental grasses are easy to maintain, and in most cases you only need to prune them once a year. We list our five favourite tall ornamental grasses:

Symbol legend:
☀️ = sun  🌤️ 🌥️ = half-shadow  ☁️ = shadow


1. Cortaderia

Cortaderia grass grows very tall, so it is best to place them in groups of 2 or 3 in your garden. Do you plant them in groups? Then they are more resistant to the wind.

• Cortaderia selloana 

Height: 2 to 3 m

Location:
☀️ 🌤️ South or east facing

Number per m²:
2 to 3 pcs

The classic cortaderia grass has long and narrow green leaves. In summer, it flowers with beautiful and striking white panicles. Get rid of its old leaves and stems at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. You can also cut it back to 30 cm from the ground.

• Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea’

Height: 2 to 2,5 m

Location:
☀️ 🌤️ South or east facing

Number per m²:
2 to 3 pcs

As the name suggests, this ornamental grass bears beautiful pink panicles during the summer months. The leaves are narrow, long and green in colour. Pampas grass is hardy, but young plants should be given extra protection during frosty days. As with the classic Pampas grass, remove the old branches and leaves at the end of the winter or the beginning of spring. It can be cut back to a height of 30 cm.

2. Miscanthus sin. Gracillimius

Height: 1,5 to 1,8 m

Location:
☀️🌤️🌥️

Number per m²:
3 to 5 pcs

This ornamental grass is very well-known and can be found in many gardens. It has very narrow and green leaves with a silver stripe in the middle. From August to October, it flowers with copper-coloured plumes that turn silver in the autumn. This ornamental grass loses many of its leaves. It is best to prune it back to 10 cm from the ground in the spring.

3. Miscanthus sin. Malepertus

Height: 1,2 to 1,8 m

Location:
☀️🌤️🌥️

Number per m²:
3 to 5 pcs

Miscanthus sin. Malepertus is known for its beautiful autumn colours. As soon as autumn arrives, the green leaves with a white stripe turn fiery red. During the summer he carries pink panicles that colour in the autumn. With this ornamental grass you will always have a colourful accent in your border. Prune it in the spring to 10 cm from the ground.

Marcel

Tip from Marcel

Miscanthus has very fine leaves that gracefully dance with the wind. Ideal if you are looking for an elegant plant for your garden! Do you prefer a voluminous ornamental grass? Then you are better off with the Calamgrostis Acutiflora Karl Foester.

4. Calamagrostis Acutiflora Karl Foerster 

Height: 1,5 to 1,8 m

Location:
☀️🌤️

Number per m²:
± 5 pcs

Decorative ornamental grass with green upright leaves. In June, light green panicles appear that turn golden-yellow towards the autumn. These plumes remain until the beginning of the winter. Prune this ornamental grass in time in the spring.

5. Panicum Virgatum Heavy metal

Height: 0,6 to 1,2 m

Location:
☀️🌤️🌥️

Number per m²:
7 tot 9 pcs

Heavy metal may sound rough but this ornamental grass is anything but. It has narrow leaves with a blue-grey colour. It flowers in late summer with fine purple-brown flower spikes that turn yellow fairly quickly. The leaves also take on a yellow sheen in the autumn. In early spring, cut back this ornamental grass to 15 cm from the ground.

Are you looking for medium-high ornamental grasses? 👇

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