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Ornamental grasses are relative newcomers to Canadian gardens, but have rapidly made up for lost time; more and more we see them used in the many herbaceous borders as well as in many commercial plantings. Though grasses have been used in European garden plans for centuries, they really caught on in the 1970s, when Washington, D.C., landscape architects Wolfgang Oehme and James Van Sweden revolutionized planting ideas with their planting designs for residences and public buildings with large sweeping plantings of grasses accented with perennials. Check out some of their designs online if you are interested.
Ornamental grasses are tough plants that require little care once established which is why they have become increasingly popular in today's gardens.They can make a beautiful backdrop for other plants and make excellent groundcover in sun or shade. With so many choices available, there is an ornamental grass sure to fit any garden space. Here are some of our favourites here at Gemmell's:
SWITCHGRASS Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Soft upright grass with beautiful powdery blue foliage. Airy clouds of flower heads sit above this lovely ornamental grass in late summer. Leaf tips turn burgundy in fall. Flowers can be used in fresh or dried arrangements.
Drought tolerant once established.
Grows 4'-5' in Full Sun
JAPANESE FOREST GRASS 
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'
One of the most gorgeous ornamental grasses and one of the few that prefer a shady site. Cascading mounds of bright yellow-green foliage make for a great garden edger. Beautiful when combined with Hostas and Ferns as they all have similar light and water requirements. This grass is slow to establish but well worth the wait. Although it is zone 5 I have successfully grown it in my garden for 5 years.
Grows 10" by 24" in Part Shade
 GIANT SILVER GRASSMiscanthus sinensis(floridus) 'Giganteus'
If you are looking for a WOW ornamental grass in your garden this may well be it. An impressive giant grass that is a big statement in the landscape and can also be used for a screening. This Miscanthus is a striking complement to shrub plantings. Plant with berrying shrubs and evergreens for year round interest. Lovely big flower plumes which are excellent cut or dried. Clump forming.
Grows 10' - 12' tall 4' wide in Full Sun
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JAPANESE SILVER GRASS
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
White striped with arching foliage this grass has an almost silvery glow from a distance. The light minty green and white leaves grow from a narrow base and rise 5 ft or more then fan out at the top making a graceful elegant presence in the perennial border.
 ZEBRA GRASSMiscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
This funky exotic looking upright grass makes a dramatic accent in the garden. Soft green foliage is marked with distinctive bands of gold mid summer. In autumn, silvery white plumes appear that last up to 2 months. Hardy and drought tolerant.
Grows 7' by 7' in Full Sun (but tolerates some shade) GENERAL CARE
Soil Most ornamental grasses grow best in average garden soil; very rich soil high in nutrients produces excessively lush growth, which can cause tall specimens to topple. If you need to improve its texture, add organic matter with low nutrient levels, such as shredded leaves or peat moss, before planting. Similarly, adding fertilizer (whether organic or chemical) to the soil can make otherwise well-mannered grasses invasive.
Watering The majority of ornamental grasses are drought tolerant, making them popular choices for xeriscaping. Although newly planted specimens need to be well irrigated while establishing strong roots, supplemental watering is usually unnecessary for older ones.
Cleanup While the foliage of ornamental grasses may be cut back to the crown in autumn, you should leave it in place for winter interest, then cut the dead stalks back to three to four centimetres above the crown in early spring before new shoots appear.
There are so many more beautiful ornamental grasses available here at the garden centre. I just don't have the time or space to list each one. The best way to determine which one is best for your garden style is to drop in. Cheers,
Kelly
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