Grasses add filigree transparency to the creative design of the front yard. Instead of immersing the limited area in a sea of flowers up to the ruff, ornamental grasses enchant with delicate spikes and decoratively colored stalks. This collection of ideas shows how to design a front yard with grass as the protagonist.

Ornamental grass is easy to care for and decorative

Grasses replace lawns and trees - tips on species and varieties

The classic front yard with lawn and house tree has had its day. In contemporary front garden design, grasses take over the floral scepter thanks to a multifaceted variety of species and care on the back burner. The following ornamental grasses refer boring green spaces and overpowering trees to the design bench:

Grass as a lawn substitute

  • Gold star moss 'Aurea' (Sagina Subulata), the only ornamental grass that can be walked on as a lawn substitute
  • Crested sedge 'Frosted Curls' (Carex comans) with silvery-green culms and light green flower spikes; 20-30cm
  • Dwarf fountain grass 'Little Bunny' (Pennisetum alopecuroides) adorns the front yard with feathery spikes; 20-30cm

Grasses as a majestic central figure in the front yard

  • Reed grass 'Karl Foerster' (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) suitable as a specimen specimen and for privacy; 100-150cm
  • Chinese reed 'Beth Chatto' (Miscanthus sinensis), the little brother of giant reed for front garden design; 160 cm
  • Dwarf pampas grass 'Evita' (Cortaderia selloana) does not lack small trees in the front yard; 120-150cm

Please note that spring is the best time to plant grass in the front yard. In this way, even more sensitive species have enough time to root vigorously until winter.

Flowering companion plants throughout all seasons

Perennials are only intended as floral accompaniment in the imaginative front garden design with grasses. Even the high priest of perennial breeders, Karl Foerster, saw harps in filigree ornamental grasses and drums in ostentatious perennials in the creative plant composition. If you want to transfer this garden philosophy to your front yard, combine grasses with these perennials:

  • Spring bulbs like snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus) and daffodils (Narcissus)
  • Fragrant summer bloomers, such as flowering sage (Salvia nemorosa), knapweed (Centaurea dealbata) and asters (Aster)
  • Autumn bloomers, such as Greenland daisies (Arctanthemum arcticum), or daisies (Chrysogonum virginianum)

tips

Pruning plays a key role in the care of grasses. The best time is at the end of winter, just before fresh budding begins. Cut back ornamental grasses to a hand’s breadth above the ground. You can simply comb out a particularly delicate clump of grass with your hands.

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Care tips