Plants for landscapes: Grasses

In recent years, ornamental grasses have become important components of many perennial borders. Tall varieties command attention at the back of the border, and the straight or arching forms contrast very effectively with many perennials, including daylilies and all plants with daisylike flowers. Shorter, clumping varieties such as blue oat grass can substitute as shrubs for color and texture interest. It is also possible to create a grassy border, which can double in function as a screen.

Most grasses appreciate good drainage and full sun. However, there are excellent choices for shady spots as well. Hakonechloa macra prefers moist, humusy soil with good drainage and likes the shade. Several fine varieties are available; for example, H. macra aureola, a golden mounding variety, was named 2009 PPA Plant of the Year. All of the Hakones brighten shady areas. Sedges are also very useful in the shade. Carex morrowii ?Ice Dance? offers deep green leaves edged in white, and yellow or deep chocolate varieties can also be found. The sedges stay around a foot tall and work well as ground covers.

In those sunny borders, Miscanthus should certainly be included. Many of these billowy plants are quite tall. For example, M. ?Morning Light,? Silver Maiden Grass, reaches 4 to 5 feet. Another great option is Calamagrostis ?Karl Foerster.? One of the earliest grasses to be up in the spring, its straight form is neat, and it tolerates clay soils. Prairie dropseed, Indian grass and switchgrasses are additional choices, all durable and attractive.

All grasses should be left standing for winter interest. In mid-spring, cut them back hard, and scratch out the middle of each clump to remove dead stems and leaf blades. Big clumps should ideally be divided every 3 or 4 years to re-invigorate the plants, but that is a big job. Top dress grasses with plenty of compost in the fall.

Right now: Cantaloupes are ready to harvest when the stem detaches easily.

Your lawn may be looking rather crispy after our long run of hot and dry weather. Fortunately, ?dormant? is not at all the same as ?dead.? The roots are most likely alive and well, and the turfgrass will rebound with the return of moisture and moderate temperatures.