Ornamental Lawns Tips

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How is ornamental grass pollinated?

Ornamental Grasses and Pollination

Ornamental Grasses produce seed heads. This makes ornamental grasses unique because they do not rely upon pollinators. Ornamental grasses are pollinated by the wind. As the grasses release their pollen, the pollen is picked up by a breeze and carried from flower to flower.

Ornamental grasses are just as colorful as flowers, despite the fact that they do not produce blooms. Ornamental grasses come in many different colors with various shades of green, blue, red, gold, brown, yellow, and even grey.

   
What is cool season grass?

Cool Season Grasses

Cool season grasses are grasses that start to grow in the early spring. Most cool season grasses retain their green color into the winter months.

It is important to keep cool season grasses watered, especially if your area is not receiving an adequate amount of rainfall. If cool season grasses go without water, they may go into a dormant phase which will turn their foliage brown.

At the end of winter and start of spring, you should cut off any brown foliage on your cool season grasses to promote new growth. Favorite cool season grasses include Tufted Hair Grass, Autumn Moor Grass and Blue Oat Grass.

   
Which ornamental grasses work in a Japanese theme garden?

Ornamental Grass and Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens are ideal for ornamental grass. Japanese gardening emphasizes plants and foliage and less attention on flowers. Ornamental grasses that work well in a Japanese garden can include Bamboo, Miscanthus, Japanese Blood Grass, and most any ornamental grass that has spiky foliage.

Ornamental grasses work well in a Japanese theme garden when accented with large carefully placed rocks and small pebbles or gravel.

   
How do I get the seeds from my ornamental grasses?

Save Your Ornamental Grass Seeds

Saving the seeds from your ornamental grasses is a great way to increase your surplus of plants. To gather the seeds from your ornamental grass, there are two methods you can choose from.

The first method is to simply cut off the seed head and place it in a bag. Shake the bag until the seeds come loose. The second method involves tying a paper bag over the seed head and walking away. The seeds will simply fall into the bag when they are ready.

When storing seeds, be sure to discard any matter that may have accumulated with the seeds. Vegetable matter can make your seeds rot. Keep your seeds in a dry and cool place.

   
What is warm season grass?

Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses are grasses that do better during the warm months of year. They retain their color, even if moisture is limited and the temperatures are very high. New growth does not appear on warm season grasses until the soil warms.

Favorite warm season grasses include Japanese Silver Grass, Pampas Grass, Switch Grass and Northern Sea Oats.

   
Should I buy young or mature ornamental grasses?

Purchasing Ornamental Grasses

When purchasing ornamental grasses it is important to understand that it takes about three years for the grasses to hit their stride. If you go to purchase an ornamental grass that is mature, it can be expensive. You can purchase ornamental grasses that are smaller and less expensive if you are willing to wait for them to mature.

You need to weigh the cost against the effect you are trying to achieve with your garden. If you can wait for the grass to reach maturity, you should go with a young plant. However, be wary of small plants in large pots. You may end up paying for the dirt. Young grasses are usually sold in three inch pots.

   
Which ornamental grasses will work in a rock garden?

Ornamental Grass and Rock Gardens

There are many ornamental grasses which have fibrous roots that work well in a rock garden. The various shades of ornamental grasses augment the beauty of the stones and bring a rock garden to life.

The ornamental grasses that work beautifully in a rock garden include Striped Orchard Grass, Fountain Grass, Blue Oat Grass, Hare's-tail grass, and Japanese Blood Grass.

   
Should I mulch around ornamental grass?

Ornamental Grass and Mulch

You should mulch around your ornamental grasses when they are past the seedling stage. Mulching helps to keep soil moist, as well as deterring the germination of weed seeds.

You should spread mulch to at least a two-inch thickness around ornamental grasses. Types of mulch that work well with ornamental grasses includes pine bark chips, pine needles, pecan hulls and cocoa bean husks.

   
Can I put ornamental grass in flower pots?

Planting Ornamental Grass in Containers

Many people are surprised to learn ornamental grasses can be planted in containers. The important things to consider when planting grasses in containers are drainage, soil content/fertilization, pot size and watering.

*You must plant your ornamental grasses in pots that have drainage holes. If you do not, the roots will rot.

*You should use liquid fertilizers on ornamental grasses that are contained in a pot. This will keep the soil vigorous and healthy. You should fertilize the soil at least once a month.

*You should plant your ornamental grasses in pots which allow them room to grow.

*Water your ornamental grasses frequently.

   
Is there a pest or disease that I should watch for on my ornamental grass?

Ornamental Grass Health

Ornamental grasses are not prone to pests or diseases. Ornamental grasses are generally the healthiest plants in the garden. However, you may have an occasional animal come to nibble on your grass such as a deer or a rabbit.

In some areas of the United States there is a fungal disease known as Rust that may occasionally afflict ornamental grasses. You will know you have Rust if you see orange spots on the leaves of your grass. If you do see Rust, you should clip off the spotted leaves and dispose of them. Never put diseased leaves on your compost pile.

   
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