THERE was a time not too long ago when the only orna- mental grass growing in our gardens was Pampas Grass, also known as Cortaderia sell- oana. This grass is native to Argentina and the name is a latinized version of the Argentinean name for grass. Pampas grass is much too big for most home gardens and is best used as a feature plant in estate or park gar- dens. The razor sharp edges of the grass blades car: cause problems. It may be dangerous to children and is difficult to cut down in spring when it is prepared for the new growing sea- son. Over the last three or four years, the use of more appropriate ornamen- tal grasses for landscaping has increased dramatically. Grasses are one of the current fash- ion trends in garden design and wholesale nurseries have responded by supplying many new varicties. In fact, there are at least two small wholesale nurseries that sel] only grasses. The grass family, Gramineae, is widely distributed over the world and has about 400 genera and sume 6,000 species, many of which are extremely important to our economy since they praduce almost all our grains, cereals, fodder crops and much of the world’s sugar. Pjants range in height trom lawn varieties at 1 cm (.4 in.) to timber bamboo at 10 m (33 ft.). Different grass species require growing conditions with different moisture levels, soil conditions, pH and temperatures. However, they all share a need for a bright sunny location. If you have a shade garden, ornamental grasses are probably not the plant for you. Using ornamental grasses as a land- scape plant requires a good know!l- edge of the grass species. Colors tend to be subtle although contrasts can be achieved with the right combinations. With less intense color, for example, many of the species look best in mass plantings where they have a sharply contrasting deep green background to highlight them. In general, the seed heads and tall stalks are light in color and show up best against a dark back- ground. The range of color runs through the spec- trum with grass species such as Blood, Blue Oat, Yellow Foxtail and Silver Banner. Other species such as Miscanthus sinensis “Strictus” or Phalaris arundinacea “Feesey’s Form” are valued for their brightly Variegated leaves that are displayed as either horizontal bands or vertical stripes. The taller grass varieties have a soft and airy appearance and the leaves and stalks are always moving when there is a light breeze, a characteristic that makes them more visible in the gar- den. The shorter, stiff bladed varieties are best used as ground covers, for borders, or to create a mounding effect between other plants. The more striking specimens can be used as fea- ture plants in beds of annuals or perennials. Grass and grass-like planes can be grouped as annual or perennial, cool season or warm scason, clump form- ing or spreading, dry or moist soil and short, medium or tall. The grass fami- ly in the broadest sense could also be considered to include the sedges and rushes, Very few ornamental grasses are evergreen. During the winter season, in a high rainfall area, many of the species die down, leaving other planti- ngs to carry the garden through the winter, The dead leaves and flower stalks are best left in place to provide winter protection for the roots and possibly additional food for the birds. Birds are also attracted to gardens that have a variety of grasses, for both seeds and nesting material. Don’t overlook the possibility of using cut grasses for indoor decora- tions or to enhance fresh flower arrangements. Many of the grass stalks and seed heads are excellent for mak- ing dried arrangements. Now is a good time to plant peren- nial grasses for an carly start in the spring. There are so many different varieties available it is difficult to list any number of them. Check the local grows ‘. Now Through October 31st Stock up now on our PR D\ \CANADIAN | UA Se seed mixes and gi tri RU rseeds- W | slo Fos xce | Hae NS pt 7 Mon - Fri 9:30-6 Saturday 9:30-5:30 Sunday 12-50, 1190 Marine Dr. (at Pemberton) — 143 Friday, October 25, 1996 — North Shore News NEWS photo Paul McGrath GRASSES are one of the current fashion trends in garden design and wholesale nurseries have responded by supplying many new varieties. This particular variety Is wild rye grass. garden shops and sce what they have available or what they can order from the wholesale nurseries. Rainforest Gardens in Maple Ridge is open to the public and probably has the best selection of grasses and a good descriptive catalogue. There are also many books on the subject of grasses, and one that is well worth picking up is Ornamental Grasses, Bamboos, Rushes & Sedges, by Nigel J. Taylor, Ward Lock Led. 1992. VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN FREE DAY Sunday, O m 27th © 10 am - 4p WY. i NF Veg 3 ay Fall in love with our woodland colors. Guided Tours Hourly 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 5251 Oak Street at 37th Ave. © 878-9274