Why Ornamental Grasses Are the Secret to a Beautiful Border in 2024

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The Middle-Sized Garden

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 123

@czarnick123 Ай бұрын

This channel is better than most things on TV. Production quality is outstanding and consistently so.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Oh, thank you!

@RandeeHalladay Ай бұрын

Your choice of places and people to interview are wonderful. this is an excellent video. Thank you

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@jasminebambury5841 Ай бұрын

I appreciat your videos so much. Every time so informative and beautifully done. Your hard work comes through and youve helped me sooooooooo much. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♡♡♡♡♡

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

thank you so much!

@SMElder-iy6fl Ай бұрын

I've been reducing grasses in my garden due to my age. I have trouble cutting down the grasses in Spring. Getting old is such a bummer!

@LouciferFlump Ай бұрын

Is there no friend or family member that could help you? There are types that don’t require any cutting back per se, aren’t there? 🤔

@juliashearer7842 Ай бұрын

What are you replacing them with?

@shirleybush9579 Ай бұрын

I got rid of mine also. Makes a mess when you cut them down.

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

I've always been hesitant to allow any deep rooting grasses into my yard because I'm thinking they will reseed freely, and then once the volunteers start to grow, I'll never be able to get rid of them! But lately, I have wanted to have just a few of the big grasses. Am I correct in thinking the seeds will blow everywhere? Do any of y'all ever have this issue with reseeding & volunteer grasses popping up?

@chelsearuiz6601 11 күн бұрын

@gardengatesopen it depends on the grass and where you live. In my area, we don't plant Chinese silver grass or purple fountain grass for that reason. We have native grasses that I preferentially plant and I've not had difficulties with them seeding in (big bluestem and panic grass). However, if you do find seedlings, they are easy to get out in the first year but I wouldn't let them go too long.

@kevinjamesparr552 Ай бұрын

Your Videos not just rival Gardeners World but beat them hands down. Your talks with real gardeners helps in heaps to get right down to basics and learn skills for free. Now us know everything

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you! That's lovely to har.

@LouciferFlump Ай бұрын

I used to think of grasses as just being the same as leaving a patch of lawned grass to grow long. I’m a fairly recent convert…. I love the look and sound of them wafting in the wind, it’s enchanting when you get their placement *right* - which is very important!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I'm a recent convert too.

@emkn1479 Ай бұрын

My husband always loved evergreens and grasses and I started out only loving perennials, but now I 100% see their value and embrace both grasses and evergreens. They’re invaluable in the landscape. And since deer don’t eat grasses, I’m now a super fan! I have several cultivars of big blue stem that have the most gorgeous blue hue in the growing season and a striking burgundy fall color.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

That is another benefit - and those colours sound gorgeous.

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

Do the grasses reseed freely in your yard?

@emkn1479 16 күн бұрын

@@gardengatesopen most have not but I find that pennisetum will

@gracepeterson7483 Ай бұрын

Another benefit of ornamental grasses I've found is that the deer don't seem to bother them. Another informative video, Alexandra. 💗

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you. And great point about the deer

@debs-more-plants Ай бұрын

What a gorgeous garden! Wow! I love those grasses! Thank you for the tour. ❤Niw looking at my garden I’m a little depressed!😂😂😂

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Ah, no, never be depressed looking at your garden! Although Paul's garden is certainly better than mine.

@cindydamrow1031 Ай бұрын

You continually create phenomenal videos, and give us advice from top designers that we otherwise would not have access to. This is definitely a video I benefited from, as grasses can be very confusing. The garden is absolutely stunning, and you looked beautiful as well. Loved your choice of outfits!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@susanneimgarten3055 Ай бұрын

Since i added a lot of different grasses to my sunny and shady borders, they look very much „airy“, lighter and brighter. They soften my stone wall and add structure during winter. i ❤ grasses.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I can imagine - sounds beautiful

@LarryCamilo Ай бұрын

Hi @ Susan

@gardenjoy5223 Ай бұрын

What a wonderful garden! When I set out to make my cottage garden, I found out soon, that it wouldn't look nice for about half the year, if I didn't put a structure beneath it of evergreens. Some of those evergreens were grasses in different heights and colors. I also got some that you cut down completely, but would make a lovely combination with the many flowering plants around. It worked. I had the nicest garden in my village of 1300 people.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

That does sound beautiful!

@jimmshorts Ай бұрын

I adore grasses. I enjoyed learning several new varieties here. As well, I gained some angles on design that hadn't occurred to me previously.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@barbkenas5663 Ай бұрын

This video was just in time, I am in the process of adding grasses! Tfs!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Glad to hear it!

@Michellemybelle1996 Ай бұрын

I have 7 different grass types in half a dozen different landscape beds in my country yard in West Michigan- love them for all the reasons stated. I really enjoy how educational your channel is!!

@LarryCamilo Ай бұрын

Hi there

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

I'm about to introduce native grasses to my landscape, but I do have one big reservation. It's the seeds those grasses will be growing - and how bad will the reseeding be? And HOW will I curtail those volunteering seedlings in places I don't want them growing! Will chasing down the volunteers become my new full time job?!! Do you have that issue with all your grasses?

@Michellemybelle1996 16 күн бұрын

@ I have Not had an issue with reseeding except for a newer pennisetum I planted 2 yrs ago called ‘Red Head’ - I just pulled the babies. Made me nervous but no issue this year. I’m keeping my eye on it- if it becomes an issue I will remove it. Love what the grasses add to my landscape. I have pennisetum alopecuroides/fountain grass-Hameln and Rabo de Gato which have been great varieties for 10+ yrs. I divide about every 5 yrs. Other varieties in my 5b garden: Karl Foerster Reed grass, Shenandoah switchgrass, Miscanthus-‘zebra grass’ and ‘Gracillimus’, Japanese Forrest Grass- Hakonechloa all gold,and smaller black mundo and chartreuse and variegated carex. The one warning is some of the larger Miscanthus can be very difficult to divide and/or move. My husband has put his foot down with anymore large grasses - after the physical work of helping me move a couple…😬 good luck with your planting!!

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

@@Michellemybelle1996 Good to know! Your grasses sound gorgeous! I'm familiar with all of those! Thanks for the reply!!

@dyanalayng5507 Ай бұрын

I loved my tall grasses. My favourite by the front door only went to delightful curled seed heads in the late fall 🇨🇦 The clump did hollow out in the centre after a few year but not in an ugly way, and my cat enjoyed that hollow for summer naps. They ARE difficult and dusty to cut down in the spring.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I understand that even a lot of professionally run gardens have this problem of people weeding out carefully planted specimens. The next video is going to be about the Piet Oudolf borders in Wisley, and Piet Oudolf says in his books that some of his planting is in big blocks because it's easier for people to understand what is a weed and what isn't when there are lots of the same plant together. But I don't suppose even that prevents the occasional mad weeder.

@LarryCamilo Ай бұрын

Hi @dyanalayng

@lesleyfrenzartist Ай бұрын

I always find myself gravitating toward grasses in late summer/early autumn! I have a miscanthus in front of our kitchen window and it absolutely shimmers in the autumnal morning light. Have added 4 new grasses throughout the garden in the last month. They add so much height and movement, especially in our breezy PNW valley.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Sounds great! I'm hoping to buy a miscanthus tomorrow.

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

@lesleyfrenzartist 15 күн бұрын

@@gardengatesopen The miscanthus variety I planted is generally considered sterile and I haven't seen any seedlings. I've only had the 3 natives I planted for a few months, so can't speak to their self seeding habits. You may be able to find sterile varieties of the native grasses you're considering. Or just consider unwanted seedlings weeds or dig them up to share with neighbors and fellow gardeners!

@gardengatesopen 15 күн бұрын

@@lesleyfrenzartist Thanks! 👍

@mamalovesthebeach437 Ай бұрын

Such a beautiful garden, and a stunning example of what you can do with grasses. I have only perennial grasses and do use my glove to “rake through“ and take out dead leaves. it keeps them thriving.❤

@PelhamPlants Ай бұрын

Thank yyou for your kind comments 👍👍

@scallywags12 Ай бұрын

I been using grasses in my borders for over 15 years. They look great with all the perennial flowers. Thanks for some more tips!

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

@scallywags12 16 күн бұрын

@ I have not a problem with ornamental grasses self seeding. Make sure you dead head the flower heads in late winter. If they come up dig out and share with friends, family.

@gardengatesopen 16 күн бұрын

@@scallywags12 Thanks!

@rickvandijk Ай бұрын

Only started adding grasses to our relatively small garden a few years ago. They’re glorious, but I make sure to divide them in spring to avoid them taking over. But yes, fantastic plants.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Good point!

@MurphysGarden Ай бұрын

Great video, such helpful advice. I’ve got several grasses and I love the movement that they bring, I will definitely be adding more from the list discussed. Many thanks for your great content.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden 6 сағат бұрын

Thank you!

@ladyjrider666 Ай бұрын

Really enjoyed this informative video. My Japanese grass does well in a container. I am adding tall and thirsty grasses to a slope. I'm hoping it becomes something special. Thank you for a useful video.

@musicalmarion Ай бұрын

They're all so beautiful 💚

@upnorth21 Ай бұрын

Love the experts that you bring to us! Great info, especially about not cutting back carex.

@PelhamPlants Ай бұрын

Thanks for your kind words 👍👍

@catherineperry9513 Ай бұрын

An excellent Grasses 101, thanks so much Alexandra. 👐

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@lm8006 Ай бұрын

Great advice on grasses! I’m slowly coming around to adding them to my garden to provide texture & movement. And now, it seems there are SO many varieties to choose from!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

It's taken me a while to get round to them, but they're definitely on my shopping list now.

@scottdelong188 8 күн бұрын

This video was such a wealth of valuable information - a great blend of practical tips and artistic considerations. I'm considering next year's garden plans in an entirely new light: no more avoiding grasses!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden 2 күн бұрын

Glad you think so - quite a revelation to me, too!

@MyFocusVaries Ай бұрын

My husband loves grasses, so I'm working some in to the garden. Unfortunately, our hakonachloa reverted from variegated light green to plain green and now looks like a weed. I'll try another. We have clumps of a massive wispy grass he loves. I love the ones with interesting tops, like a little firework. Thanks for the tour.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

A pleasure!

@katiewilliams6591 Ай бұрын

Another fab video Alexandra!! I have to admit to having not been fond of ornamental grasses but this video has changed my mind. I'll be investing in a Stima gigantica and a japanese hackl... (I'll check the spelling 😜) Thank you both, Paul and you do a great double act!

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you! I've always found that the Hakonechloa needs a bit of cosseting to get established, but it does look lovely when it's happy.

@katiewilliams6591 Ай бұрын

Great, thank you, I'll bear that in mind@@TheMiddlesizedGarden

@LarryCamilo Ай бұрын

@@katiewilliams6591 hi 👋

@PelhamPlants Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words Katie 👍👍 Well done for experimenting with grasses, they can add so much to the border! 👏

@hossenfeffer8383 Ай бұрын

Lovely displays, Alexandra! 🇨🇦

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@SpanishEclectic Ай бұрын

I really loved the colors in this garden. Here many of those grasses can become invasive. I've never planted any, yet I dig them out year after year as I'm still clearing space for new planting areas and need to start clean. Some grasses also have 'razor' edges...I recall as a child my neighbors had a huge Pampas grass next to their Mid-Century home here in San Diego. We would get cuts from it if we weren't careful. Weird story...the parking brake failed on a car up the hill, and it rolled down the street, headed for their garage. Luckily, the car hit the Pampas grass, which stopped it! Not sure if it's related to that other Japanese grass, but one that caught my eye (that I'd like to use in future) was called Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata Rubra?) due to bright red on the leaves...like something out of one of those Samurai movies. Regardless of whether I think I'll every want to plant something in particular, I always listen to your experts; you ask great questions and there is always some point that I didn't expect. We are due another October heat wave this week, but at least the days are shorter now. See you next week.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Ha, ha, I can imagine that. We have huge clumps of 1960s pampas grass in front gardens here, and I think they're still around because no-one has the strength to dig them out. Thank you for your comments!

@marycummins5384 Ай бұрын

Very educational video as Grasses are tricky .

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@topaz3468 Ай бұрын

I have reduced my penstemon grasses considerably over the last two years bc they are troublesome to weed around. Also, since most varieties flop over, they become tripping hazards while trying to walk around them to weed the garden. The nursery will tell you it is low maintenance, but I didn't find this to be the case... the 25 degree freezes destroyed many of my varieties several winters back. Best to admire this in the yards of my neighbors I think. LOL.

@juliabinford6500 Ай бұрын

I enjoy majestic grasses, but I’ve only planted Karl foerster, because I don’t have strong sun. That transparent grass was beautiful.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Yes, I loved that one too.

@sonayozden4814 Ай бұрын

Sizi şans eseri buldum. Kuraklık çok büyük bir sorun. Bahçenizde değer verdiğiniz pekçok bitki benim yaşadığım yerde kır çiçeği olarak yetişen doğal türler. Bana hemen her videoda yaptığım hataları, doğruları gösterdiniz. İngiliz bahçesine sahip değilim, akdeniz bahçesi oluşturmaya çalışıyorum. Sizin sayenizde güllerimin yerini değiştirerek başladım. Gerçek boyutlarına ulaştılar. Çok canlılar. Dekoratif otları biliyordum fakat bahçemde istemediğime karar vermiştim. Değişen iklim koşulları yüzünden yavaş yavaş otların gerekli olduğuna karar verdim. Son siparişlerimi iki hafta önce ektim. Çok güzeller. Vetiverler birinci yılını tamamladılar. Pembe çimleri, stipa pony tailleri, carex evergoldları bahçeye dağıttım. Enson bu iklime uyumlu olacağını düşündüğüm Rus Adaçaylarını ektim. Bahçem iyi gidiyor. Amaryllis, nergis, belladonnaları bahçeye farklı noktalara taşıdım. Çok güzel bir mimoza, erguvan, kiraz, incir, kayısı, erik, kızılcık, zeytin ağaçları ve çok büyük bir meşe ağacımız var. Çok farklı bitkiler kullanıyorum ama daha bilinçli tercih ediyorum. Size çok teşekkür ederim.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Glad you have enjoyed the videos

@chrisdaniels3929 Ай бұрын

Thank you for thee good ideas

@gerriemargell6401 Ай бұрын

Beautiful video once again, thank you. I've planted many herbs that have gotten away from us with reseeding everywhere. Which now makes me a bit afraid to plant anything. Should I be wary of grasses reseeding throughout the yard an neighborhood? Do you have any grassy tips for a zone 6 wild garden?

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I think it's worth putting 'is (insert grass name) invasive in (insert the name of your area)?' to check whether anything is actually invasive where you are. Definitely avoid those. Then I'd suggest finding out what the native ornamental grasses are for your area and starting with that. Some grasses do re-seed and spread more than others, but I think it's easier to take a plant out rather than to plant a new one, so I don't mind -re-seeders (just avoid anything technically invasive for your area).

@lorimiller623 Ай бұрын

Piet Oudolf uses a lot of grasses to give his gardens a soft, misty look.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Piet Oudolf borders video coming next in fact!

@geraldinefields1730 10 күн бұрын

Thank you.

@camillaluckey4136 Ай бұрын

Ever try Little Blustem? It’s a native here in western North Carolina mts. It’s just tall enough to wave. Another native, evergreen, is the carex Cherokee.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Well, I like the name! I'll look out for it.

@BritInvLvr Ай бұрын

I love the way grasses look but I stopped because the gophers love them here. One took hold but weeds grew in between and I couldn’t pull them.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I have to admit that I don't have to deal with gophers. Suspect they are even worse than rabbits.

@maryeustace1620 Ай бұрын

Wonder garden and very useful video. Is there any particular grass you could recommend especially for part shade? Thanks

@LarryCamilo Ай бұрын

Hi @mary

@michaeljonesdougherty.209 Ай бұрын

I like grasses had sea grass in a circle bed edge in took over like Bamboo was pretty but had to dig 4 feet to get root ball out Would only put it in a large pot. It's popular at the beach where I live . Over used there I went with cottage style garden.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I agree, bamboo can be a very tricky one.

@nicolasbertin8552 Ай бұрын

Ornamental grasses are a nightmare to plant in my garden. It's a community garden, with some perennial areas. Sadly, even though I take care of plantations, I cannot do all of the work. And since it's a community garden, we grow them all from seed we don't have the budget to buy big specimens from a nursery. So for ornamental grasses, we plant them small, from a 7 cm pot. And when other members of the garden will weed a border, they way too often just pull out the ornamental grasses, thinking they're weeds... Most of them are dumb founded when I tell them that yes, in borders we use grasses now and they look beautiful. For them it should just be flowers. The first year, I put a stick to mark the position of the plant, but when you plant dozens of flowers and grasses, the second year people remove the sticks so it's not too ugly, or they degrade coz they're bambou sticks or branches. It might work out for some lime colored grasses, like some sedges, or bronze colored ones. But for grasses like panicum or sporobolum or calamagrostis, it is REALLY difficult to keep them, and it's a punch in the gut when you know the grass is slow growing and has been pulled out after 2 or 3 years in the ground by some careless person... Some grasses like miscanthus will grow tall fast and may not be weeded out, but I hate miscanthus in european gardens, it just looks so off, it's not at its place at all, especially in our garden which is mostly european plants, and a few americans that don't look out of place. But miscanthus really does...

@lauravalenzuela2233 Ай бұрын

Love the grasses. They do seem to overtake my border though. Maybe I get the wrong ones.

@gardenjoy5223 Ай бұрын

Yes, some tend to do that. But nothing you can't manage with a little shovel in your hand. But if those grasses are hard to reach, it would be easier to replace them. Then again, when one loves to do some gardening, and it is manageable, it makes for a lovely excuse to be out :)

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Interesting - I have the opposite problem, I find it hard to get some grasses established. Not sure what the answer is in either case!

@MollyWatson-o3e 6 сағат бұрын

Thank you for sharing gardening tips. Here in America, I need relief from the recent terrible political news.

@rusticrye5413 Ай бұрын

The problem with grasses is that they they get battered down by rain and wind. Even the low-growing ones end up totally flattened. My garden here in very wet Wales looks a complete mess, so I've made the decision to get rid of them all.

@pansepot1490 Ай бұрын

Good decision. Not every type of plant is for everyone. Better stick with what thrives in our conditions and get rid of the rest. Makes gardening easier and more rewarding.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

I agree with @Pansepot1490 but also note that although the grasses I have get flattened by rain sometimes, they do seem to bounce up again. So it may depend on how much rain you get!

@sannaericditsler4034 Ай бұрын

I used to have grasses in my garden. I have moved and not put one grass in this garden. If you have ever tried to dig up a grass because the middle died out you will understand why I have none now.

@joecity9 Ай бұрын

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is great for 'any' garden. But, not for 'every' garden. It's just too much of a good thing in this country 🇨🇦. It started to lose it's appeal when McDonalds started to landscape their parking lots with it together with Stella d’Oro Daylilies.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Oh, dear! I can see that!

@kevinjamesparr552 Ай бұрын

Trouble is grass seeds rather well and result is grass can appear all over border

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

Yes, I think that can be a problem. Although I rather love self-seeders.

@قناةطبخالمغربيالاصيل Ай бұрын

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@togetvj Ай бұрын

I agree, ornamental grasses look beautiful BUT they might not be so great if you have pets. Each year at the time that glasses make seed, I have to be extremely vigilant in checking my Ragdoll cat's coat. I have removed seeds that managed to put down roots and were burying themselves into my cat's skin. I found one the other week which was right in the corner of his eye. They also get between his toes. It can be serious. A search of the net will reveal many cases.

@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ай бұрын

That's an interesting point. My short-haired labrador doesn't have a problem with seeds, but my friend's spaniels do. So I think a lot depends on the pet and also whether it goes into your borders (I'm trying to keep the labrador out of them, with mixed success!)

@togetvj Ай бұрын

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I just wanted to give others a heads up. I really love ornamental grasses. You might want to keep close watch on your Labrador's eyes but yes, you are right about it depending where the pet goes. Love your channel by the way.