Feature Plant | Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are adaptable, easy to grow, and provide year-round interest.  Most perform best in full sun and a well-drained, moist soil.  However, many ornamental grasses will tolerate dry sites, infertile soils, and partial shade.  Once established in the landscape, ornamental grasses require little care.  They have few insect and disease pests.  Watering and fertilization are usually not necessary.  One chore that will need to be done each year is to cut back the dead foliage in early spring.

Though often overlooked, many ornamental grasses possess winter interest and can provide color, texture, motion, and sound to an otherwise dreary winter landscape. 

Source: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/rg401.pdf

Country Landscapes has a wide selection of grasses available - and many are included in our current plant special.  We recommend planting warm season grasses - miscanthus, switchgrass, fountain grass, blue oat - as early in the fall as possible, so they have a chance to get established before winter.

Here is another source of information about ornamental grasses in Iowa: http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/research/iowagrasses/index.html

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