In order for ornamental grasses to meet expectations as a painterly accessory or ornamental solitaire, a professionally put together package of measures is required. Although species-typical subtleties must be observed, essential premises apply to the entire group of these ornamental plants. Get a dedicated overview of the general requirements for cultivating ornamental grass here. The following answers to frequently asked questions sum up all the facts.

Ornamental grass is not just ornamental grass: there are countless different varieties and species

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant ornamental grasses correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What is the best planting time?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Cut ornamental grasses correctly
  8. Water ornamental grasses
  9. Fertilize ornamental grasses properly
  10. hibernate
  11. Increase ornamental grasses
  12. How do I plant correctly?
  13. Ornamental grasses in the pot
  14. Are ornamental grasses poisonous?
  15. Beautiful varieties

    16. Plant ornamental grasses correctly

    April is the ideal time for planting ornamental grass. As part of the preparatory work, place the still potted root ball in water until no more air bubbles rise. Meanwhile, thoroughly loosen the soil at the appropriate location to remove roots, stones and weeds. Dig a planting pit slightly larger than the root ball. Place the soil in a wheelbarrow to mix with compost and horn shavings (€32.93). Now pot the soaked root ball and position it in the middle of the pit so that the previous planting depth is maintained. Fill the cavities with the substrate, press down and water. A layer of mulch made of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch provides natural protection for rapid rooting.
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    care tips

    Regardless of the type of ornamental grass selected, the following priorities should be set for all types of professional care:

    • Never let the root ball dry out or drown in waterlogging
    • Fertilize the bed organically in March/April and at the beginning of the flowering period
    • Tie the eyrie loosely in a tuft in autumn and cover the root disc with leaves
    • Cut back to 10 cm above the ground in early spring before new shoots appear

    Water more regularly in pot culture, as the substrate dries out quickly. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks from March to August with a liquid fertilizer for green plants, which is diluted by half with water. It is an advantage if ornamental grass can spend the winter in a bright, frost-free area in a bucket. Alternatively, you can cover the container with bubble wrap or colorful jute ribbons and slide a block of wood to insulate against the cold. Please keep in mind that evergreen ornamental grass species and varieties continue to evaporate moisture both in the bed and in the pot. If the root ball is threatened by drought stress, water on mild days.
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    Which location is suitable?

    Ornamental grasses are always satisfied with a partially shaded location. Selected ornamental grass species such as pampas grass or silver spike grass thrive in full sun. Mother Nature even has beautiful specimens for the shady place, such as the mushroom head sedge or the bog moor grass. With regard to soil conditions, it can be said that fresh, well-drained soil is desirable. With very few exceptions, ornamental grasses know how to cope better with short-term drought than with waterlogging.

    The right planting distance

    With regard to the different growth heights and widths of ornamental grasses, no general statement can be made about the best planting distance. As a rule of thumb, use the expected growth width as a basis for a solitary ornamental grass in the bed. In the group, reduce this value by 5-10 cm. For the correct distance to the neighbor, the local requirements of the neighborhood law apply. Contact the responsible public order office so that there is no trouble with the neighbors later.

    What is the best planting time?

    In order to offer an ornamental grass a suitable time window for rooting, we recommend spring planting. By the time the first frost hits, the ornamental grasses have established themselves enough to get through the cold season in good health. If you choose the perennials-typical planting time in autumn, a thick layer of leaves and needle brushwood protects the young root ball from frost damage.
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    When is flowering time?

    The central flowering period extends from late summer until well into autumn. This applies in particular to immigrated ornamental grass species such as fountain grass, Chinese reed or pampas grass. In contrast, our native ornamental grasses are already in the limelight in spring with delicate, subtly colored flowers. Heart-shattered trembling grass, which blooms from May to July, is a prime example. The ornamental grass is topped by the native mountain sedge, which sets decorative accents as early as March.

    Cut ornamental grasses correctly

    Every type of ornamental grass needs its leaves as a protective shield against the winter cold and wet. Therefore, do not cut back the plant at the end of the flowering period or before the first frost. How to do it right:

    • In late autumn, tie the eyrie together with ropes to form a loose tuft
    • In early spring, before the new shoots, remove the withered stalks
    • In advance, check the eyrie for overwintering animals in order to postpone the appointment if necessary
    • Hold the grass with one hand and cut it close to the ground with the scissors in the other hand

    Comb through evergreen ornamental grass with a rake or pluck out withered stalks. Do not attempt this work until you have put on sturdy gloves. The edges of the grass are sometimes razor sharp and can cause deep cuts.
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    Water ornamental grasses

    Adjust the water balance to the selected ornamental grass variety. Drought-loving varieties are satisfied with the natural rainfall. Where the focus is on a fresh to moist location from the outset, water the perennial whenever the soil surface has dried. This is less often the case in the bed than in the bucket. While ornamental grasses mostly tolerate short-term drought, waterlogging causes irreparable rot in the root ball.

    Fertilize ornamental grasses properly

    Fertilize your ornamental grass at the start of the season and again when flowering begins. Organic fertilizers such as compost, horn shavings, (32.93€) guano granules or bark humus are well suited for the supply of nutrients. In pot culture, apply a liquid fertilizer for foliage plants every 2-3 weeks from March to August.
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    hibernate

    The ornamental grass brings its most important winter protection with it, because the stalks protect the root ball from cold and wet. Therefore, do not cut back the perennial in autumn. Rather, tie the blades of grass together into one or more loose tufts. With colorful jute ribbons, the result is a thoroughly decorative appearance. Then cover the root disc thickly with autumn leaves or brushwood. Ornamental grass in the bucket ideally moves to bright, frost-free winter quarters. Where this plan fails due to lack of space, place the pot on wood and wrap it with fleece, jute or foil.

    Increase ornamental grasses

    To add to the existing community of your favorite ornamental grasses, divide the rootstock. How to do it right:

    • After pruning in spring, lift the root ball out of the ground
    • Cut up the ornamental grass with a knife, spade or saw
    • An optimal section has at least 3-4 leaves or buds

    While maintaining the previous planting depth, place the segments in the prepared soil at the new location. Add compost to the excavation there to encourage rooting. Adequate water supply is the gardener's top priority in the days and weeks that follow.

    How do I plant correctly?

    The robust constitution of ornamental grass makes it easy to change location. This applies in particular during the first 5 years of storage. Choose a day in spring for the action, when the ground has completely thawed. The work is easier to do when the necessary pruning has been carried out. Dig up the root ball with as much soil as possible. At the new location, the planting hole should already be prepared and the excavation should be enriched with compost. Keep the previous planting depth, tread down the soil and water.

    Ornamental grasses in the pot

    Some of the loveliest varieties of ornamental grass create eye-catching accents on the balcony, terrace or window sill in pots. Use a high-quality, structurally stable potting soil with a low peat content. The addition of sand, lava granules and expanded clay (€19.73) ensures good permeability. In addition, drainage made of potsherds or gravel prevents harmful waterlogging. Constant moisture with intermittent drying phases regulates the water balance. Adequate nutrient supply is ensured by monthly doses of a diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants. If no frost-free winter quarters are available for the cold season, place the pot on wood in front of the south wall of the house. In addition, cover the substrate with leaves and wrap the container with foil or jute ribbons.

    Are ornamental grasses poisonous?

    You won't find ornamental grasses in the long lists of poisonous ornamental plants. In view of the exuberant variety of species and varieties, it cannot be ruled out with certainty that one or the other slightly poisonous ornamental grass is among them. If in doubt, ask carefully when purchasing to be on the safe side.

    Beautiful varieties

    For your inspiration we have compiled the following selection of gorgeous ornamental grass varieties, carefully selected from hundreds of species and thousands of hybrids.

    • Giraffe: Beautiful, ornamental Chinese reed thanks to the horizontally striped culms in delicate yellow; 180-250cm
    • Pumila: Majestic pampas grass with opulent, silvery-white flared flowers for sunny locations; 90-250cm
    • Karl Foerster: Beautiful riding grass, stiffly upright, silvery-pink flowers and beautiful winter look; 100-150cm
    • Hänse Herms: Impressive switchgrass with spectacular autumn colors in bright red; 70-120cm
    • Fireworks: Stunning pennisetum with purple culms and cream flowers; 60-100cm
    • Transparent: Filigree, lavishly branched moor grass with transparent elegance for partially shaded locations; 60-180cm
    • Bronze veil: Opulent forest hairgrass with golden-yellow flowers in furious fountains well into autumn; 60-120cm
    • Elijah Blue: Blue fescue with steel-blue culms and tawny awns for sunny, hot locations; 15-25cm
    • Diamond Grass: The ideal ornamental grass for the tub to decorate the autumn balcony with silvery-pink flowers; 70-80cm
    • The Beatles: Shade-tolerant mushroom head sedge with overhanging culms and early flowering from April; 20-30cm

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Indoor plants