Ornamental grasses are popular in our area for a reason. Grass maintenance is minimal. They are versatile and come in many heights, shapes and colours.

Some are evergreen, replacing the need for small conifers; some are tall enough to replace many shrubs; some are short enough to be used as groundcover.

Ornamental grasses provide food and homes for a wide variety of birds, insects and smaller wildlife. Pest and disease resistance is a bonus. They also provide summer and winter interest. Some grasses bloom and many grasses have fall colour.

Before you go to the nursery to purchase your grass, consider the following.

Ornamental grasses come in varieties suited for full sun to full shade and for dry to moist soil.

It is important to choose the right plant for the right place.

Assess your planting area and determine whether you need a variety for full sun or full / part shade and for dry or moist soil. What size of grass can you accommodate? What colour do you want? Do you want a short mounding plant or a tall upright plant? Evergreen or deciduous? Warm-season or cool-season? Warm-season grasses are best planted in the spring while cool-season grasses are best planted in the fall. Cool-season grass can also be planted in the spring.

After you purchase your grass, you will need to plant, mulch and maintain it.

Prepare the planting hole by digging a hole deep enough and wide enough to plant the

grass level with the soil surface. Before planting check the roots to ensure they are not

circling around. If so, gently tease them apart. Plant, water in well and apply a 5-8 cm layer of mulch ensuring that the mulch is 8-10 cm away from the plant.

Water regularly during the first year to ensure your grass establishes a good root system. Once established, most grass requires little to no water. Fertilizer is generally not required for grass planted in the ground. Grass planted in containers will require continuous annual regular watering especially during hot spells as well as annual feeding during the active growing period.

Mulch each spring to keep down weeds and to retain soil moisture.

Dividing every three to five years may be required. Warm-season and cool-season grass can both be divided in early spring although cool-season grass can also be divided in the fall. This will give you new plants for other areas of your garden or to share with friends.

Deciduous grass is cut back in the spring before new growth appears and evergreen grass only needs to be combed out in the spring. Combing can be done with your hands to remove the dead foliage. Wear gloves as some grass is sharp.

Below are some popular deciduous and evergreen ornamental grasses.

Deciduous Warm-Season Grasses

• Big Bluestem
• Fountain
• Indian
• Little Bluestem
• Switch
• Northern Sea Oats

Deciduous Cool-Season Grasses

• Feather Reed
• Moor
• Tufted Hair
• Blue Sedge

Evergreen Grasses

• Blue Oat
• Fescue

For a more complete list, check out Creating a Kamloops Xeriscape (24-page PDF) online or okanaganxeriscapeassociation.org for detailed information on individual grasses.

Our local nurseries have a great selection too.

Upcoming Events in June

• Kamloops Cycling Coalition Cycle the City
• Spring Garden Tour – June 6
• Sun Peaks Annual Plant Sale – June 7
• Thompson Shuswap Master Gardeners
• Advice Clinic @ The Farmers Market – June 13
• Kamloops Garden Club
• Rose and Flower Show and Tea – June 20