As the seasons change from summer to autumn, the plant palette in the garden changes from colourful exuberance to a more muted feeling. Autumn is where ornamental grasses come into their own, providing structure and interest in their own unique way. They have an aesthetic appeal providing form, texture, sound, movement and a translucent quality which has the greatest effect when backlit by the sun.
Many grasses flower in summer and autumn, changing shape from tufted mounds giving rise to intriguing floral displays. These inflorescences (flowers) change over time in colour, form and structure as the seeds ripen and disperse. Many grasses also develop shades of gold, orange and red echoing the autumnal leaves on shrubs and trees around them. Dancing in the autumn storms and winter gusts, grasses create sound and movement within the garden and bring a connection to the wider landscape.
Ornamental grasses are adapted to grow in a wide variety of situations from dry to damp, sunny to shady. There is a wide variety of size, shape and colour to choose from.
Here are some favourites for their autumn interest:
In the Gravel Garden -
Stipa gigantea (giant feather grass / golden oats) – An elegant ornamental grass, evergreen narrow leaves form large tufts of basal foliage, oat-like flowers are golden in colour, held high above the foliage, glowing in the low autumn sun.
Stipa tenuissima – (Mexican feather grass) - These clumps of hair-fine foliage wave an endless display of silver-green flower heads, each seed tipped with a long silky filament. The overall effect of delicate plumes and foliage waving in the slightest breeze. Foliage and seed heads turn golden brown in autumn creating contrast with seed heads.
Stipa calamagrostis – (rough feather grass) - A handsome grass for dry soil. Graceful fountains of narrow green leaves are topped with large, long lasting, feathery plumes of soft buff.
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus – (diss grass) - This large elegant evergreen grass makes a fountain-like feature. From a base of arching green leaves spring tall pale stems carrying long drooping flower heads, beautiful in outline.
Pennisetum villosum – (feathertop grass) – graceful ornamental grass with large fluffy bright white flower plumes cascading down the light green foliage.
In the Water Garden -
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Transparent’ – (purple moor-grass) - Above low neat clumps of narrow ribbon-shaped leaves stand tall, rigid, knitting-needle-like stems topped with lace-fine heads of tiny rice-like seed cases less densely set on hair thin stems creating a more gauzy effect. The whole making an exquisite screen when still, or when seen bowing and dancing in the wind.
Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’ (tufted hair grass) - Goldschleier translates as Golden Veil. One of the loveliest for effect, either grouped in a bay among shrubs, or as a specimen rising above lower plants. It forms large dense tussocks of narrow arching green leaves. By midsummer many tall flower stems rise well above the foliage carrying large airy plumes of tiny silver-green flowers. Gradually flowers and stems turn bright straw-yellow, creating a golden veil.
Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats) - Forms a loose column of flowering stems softened by broad-bladed leaves curling round them. They are topped with curious and attractive flower heads, each individual spikelet being totally flat as though it had been pressed with a flat iron. Dries well, remaining green shaded with bronze and purple tints. Foliage can be a lovely amber-gold in autumn.
Cortaderia selloana ‘Sunningdale Silver’ (pampas grass) – A superb landscape grass for autumn effect. From a base of long arching leaves emerge stout stems bearing huge graceful feathery heads of silky creamy-white flowers.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ (maiden grass) - Imposing columns of arching, broad, ribbon-like leaves, with conspicuous central silver vein. Excellent autumn foliage colour, varying from orange to pink. Large feathery plumes, silky and mahogany red when fresh, drying to pinkish-buff.
In the Reservoir Garden –
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (feather reed grass) - An outstanding vertical especially in autumn and winter. Narrow flower panicles held bolt upright on needle-like stems form a slender column. They bleach straw colour, standing firm without support or damage throughout winter.
Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean feather reed grass) - A super elegant grass. Needle-like flower stems, carry pyramidal-shaped flower heads, like elegant bottlebrushes; grey-green with a touch of mauve when fresh, fading to buff. A shape tempting to stroke. A fine vertical above lower plants. Autumn flowering.
Ornamental grasses include – annual grasses, perennial grasses, rushes and sedges, and bamboos.
For our full range of grasses, click HERE.
Written by Gardener Cathy
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