![]() ![]() Grasses can be broadly grouped as herbaceous or woody. In addition, native ornamental grasses may add natural heritage value to a landscape. Although the focus of this publication is ornamental grasses, these grasses may serve wildlife in the landscape as well. Several grasses are cultivated for forage, turf, ornamental, and wildlife benefits. It is important to recognize these natural characteristics when using grasses for ornament, since they determine adaptability and management within a landscape or region, as well as invasive potential. They have a strong presence in prairies, like those in the Great Plains, and savannas, like those in southern Africa. Grasses are found across the globe, including in Antarctica. They are Arundinoideae, a unique mix of woody and herbaceous grass species Bambusoideae, the bamboos Chloridoideae, warm-season herbaceous grasses Panicoideae, also warm-season herbaceous grasses and Pooideae, a cool-season subfamily. This variation has resulted in five recognized subfamilies within Poaceae. Although they may seem similar, grasses vary greatly, ranging from cool season to warm season grasses, from woody to herbaceous, and from annuals to long-lived perennials. There are approximately 10,000 species of grasses. True grasses make up a large group of monocots (Liliopsida) within the Gramineae or Poaceae family. For an example of a design plan for a small water garden, see Figure 1. Planting grasses near water, where light, sound, and wind is reflected and amplified, is another way to maximize the dramatic impact in the landscape. You can lengthen this display into the night by adding outdoor lighting. Some grasses come into their glory when backlit by the setting sun. The effect varies with the strength of the wind and the season, from the rustling of a slight summer breeze to the sharp, crisp sound of brisk winter winds bending the dry seedheads and foliage. Anyone who has ever been in a pine forest on a windy day is aware of the ethereal music of wind against pine foliage. One of the unique and desirable contributions ornamental grasses make to the landscape is their sound. From their emergence in the spring through winter, warm-season ornamental grasses add drama, grace, and motion to the landscape unlike any other plants. ![]() The only time they could be considered not to contribute to the beauty of the landscape is the few weeks in the early spring between cutting back the old growth of the warm-season grasses until the sprouting of new growth. Not many other groups of plants can boast attractiveness during practically all seasons. Ornamental grasses with their variety of form, color, texture, and size add diversity and dimension to a landscape. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |