The main difference between warm-season ornamental grasses and cool-season ornamental grasses is their active growing and flowering period.
- WARM SEASON GRASSES grow most actively during the warm summer months, flowering in late summer through fall and go dormant in winter.
- COOL SEASON GRASSES grow actively during the cooler months of fall through spring and typically go dormant during the warmest summer months.
- Some of my FAVORITE WARM SEASON GRASSES include this Red Fountain Grass, Pink Muhly Grass, and this Blue grama grass called, "Blonde Ambition". Blonde Ambition holds on to its plumes through winter and is undaunted by snow.
- Some of my FAVORITE COOL SEASON GRASSES include this golden-yellow Japanese Forest grass, and this short, Blue Fescue grass.
Cutting ornamental grasses down will cause RAPID new growth. SO, I recommend waiting until late winter or early spring to cut both warm and cool-season grasses down using hedge shears or a power saw for easier cutting.
Here's a TIP: Cut approximately 2/3 down the plant in the spring.
Follow the instructions on the plant label for specific plants but most ornamental grasses need at least 6 hours of full sun.
They should be planted as far apart as they are high. So for example, if the grass is six feet tall, they should be planted six feet apart
Ornamental grasses are not fussy or need lots of fertilizer. Just make sure the soil drains well in the ground or in a container.
Water as the soil starts to become dry. When established, ornamental plants become drought tolerant!
