A rock garden looks natural and authentic, especially when the planting offers variety. In addition, many of the cushion plants only flower in spring or early summer, so that bright green, blue or brightly colored grasses - which sometimes remain green all year round - offer an interesting eye-catcher. Almost all grasses form dense clumps; with some staying low, but others can get quite high.

Grasses loosen up the rock garden

Mosquito grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

This is a typical prairie grass, whose grey-green tufts of leaves that grow up to 30 centimeters high form horizontally protruding spikes. The eye-catching flower appears between July and August. The plant loves sunny and dry locations and feels particularly at home on scree and in crevices. Be careful when planning the rock garden, because the mosquito grass does not tolerate lime and therefore no calcareous stones such as tuff.

Monte Baldo sedge (Carex baldensis)

The conspicuous and very beautiful Monte Baldo sedge forms clusters of dark green leaves that are up to 20 centimeters high. The snow-white flowers can be seen between June and July. This type of grass is best cultivated in limestone boulders and crevices and should not be too dry. A sunny location is an absolute must.

Foxy sedge (Carex buchananii)

This beautiful brown-red colored grass grows up to 40 centimeters high in dense clumps with thin, upright stalks. Like other sedges, the red sedge prefers a sunny and not too dry location. It grows particularly well between scree and in crevices, but it should not be planted on limestone rock. This sedge looks very pretty when planted in troughs. In winter you should ensure good protection against moisture.

Mountain sedge (Carex montana)

This dainty grass, which grows to a height of only about 10 centimetres, flowers unusually early: the delicate flowers can already be seen between March and April. Otherwise, the mountain sedge grows in dense clumps of leaves and has slender, light green leaves. In contrast to the red sedge, the mountain sedge feels very comfortable in limestone, but also prefers to grow on scree and in crevices. Choose a sunny and not too dry location.

Blue fescue (Festuca cinerea)

The blue fescue grass, which can grow up to 20 centimeters high, is striking because of its very thin, grey-blue tufts of leaves. These grow in dense clumps and also produce flowers from June to July. The two rather small varieties 'Kingfisher' and 'Silbersee' are particularly recommended; if you are looking for a blue fescue that is suitable for troughs, you should choose 'Zwergenkönig'. Blue fescue grass also prefers a sunny and dry location.

Bearskin Grass (Festuca gautieri)

This grass, which grows in very dense clumps, remains quite low at a maximum height of 10 centimeters and forms larger mats. Plant it between limestone rocks and choose a sunny and dry spot. The 'Pic Carlit' variety is particularly compact and therefore well suited for planters.

tips

In a rock garden, the plants must be protected from moisture in winter. For a simple but effective protection, you can place sheets of glass or plexiglass on some stones surrounding the plants so that they don't touch the shoots themselves. A glass plate attached to an aluminum base also reliably protects against dangerous winter moisture.

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Garden design