Glorious grasses: 4 species that do well in Cyprus
Ornamental grasses are a wonderful addition to your landscape. They provide texture, structure and colour.
The movement of the blades wisp threw the breeze bring a joy to your space.
The reasons you should use ornamental grasses in your landscape
- Erosion – the roots penetrate deep into the earth
- Hedges – they grow quickly and screen perfectly
- Borders – mixing with other grasses and perennials
- Edging – smaller grasses define edges of planting areas
- Attracts Wildlife – birds and butterflies
- Seasonal interest – summer to winter
- Low Maintenance – cut back before spring, virtually pest free
- Container gardens – look wonderful in planters
Use them they are wonderful!
Interesting sight
They give a lot of interest in your landscape, the gentle wind that blows forms a sweeping movement which is delightful to watch. Ornamental grasses give your space a sculptured effect and when they are backlit they are perfect.
Environmentally friendly Plants
Useful as well in conservation they improve water supply by removing contaminants from storm water runoff, they help with slope stabilization. There stems when cut and left as a mulch revitalizes poor soil. Provides habitat for birds and other wildlife. The birds feed on their seeds.
Just a little bit of love once a year
Cutting back grasses usually between late winter or very early spring, but really when you see them getting dry, practically straw like. When cutting, wear your safety equipment (gloves). Take a sharp blade or scissors, a piece of string and pull the plant together, tighten it and cut the top end of your bunch. I do that or cut around the bottom layers so there not touching the floor. Pretty easy, that’s it, watch it start revitalizing and shoots will grow. You can add some fertilizer just to give it a boost, but it will be fine if you don’t.
Designing with grasses
At a glance you may feel that because they have no flower with petals, there really don’t seem that interesting, they appear woody but in fact the range of talents this plant has is quite extraordinary. They are adaptable, they grow in all soil types from sandy to loamy. They prefer the sun but they also do well in the shade.
They have a naturalistic quality and when combined with perennials and even in a formal design look wonderful too. Go ahead and try them you won’t be disappointed.
There is a variety of sizes and forms. Here are a few suggestions:
Pennisetum alopecuroides – Fountain grass
Foliage: green, 60-100cm height
Flowers: August – September
Conditions: Full sun to light shade, grows in any soil, needs good drainage
Miscanthus sinensis – Japanese Silver grass
Foliage: green, 100-125cm height
Flower: August
Conditions: Full sun, needs moist fertile soil, ample water in hot conditions
Carex morrowii – Japanese Segde
Foliage: green/brown
Flowers: April – May
Conditions: Partial shade, needs moist soil, slow spreader
Stipa tenuissima – Mexican feather grass
Foliage: green/brown
Conditions: Full sun – partial shade – moist soil –well drained
If you haven’t got much time to look after your garden then I would suggest using grasses. This is a low maintenance solution for you! They are drought tolerant, very rarely effected by diseases and pests. Ornamental grasses are fast growing especially good for screening and borders and once they are established fail to disappoint.
