As summer settles in and many flowering plants begin to slow down, ornamental grasses step into the spotlight. Their graceful forms, soft movement and long-lasting color make them one of the easiest ways to refresh your landscape for late summer and beyond.
Unlike many plants that struggle through hot, dry stretches, ornamental grasses thrive in the heat. Once established, they are low maintenance, drought tolerant and continue looking great well into fall - often remaining attractive throughout the winter.
Two of our favorite varieties are Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass and 'Adagio' Maiden Grass.
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
If you are looking for clean, vertical lines in the landscape, Karl Foerster is hard to beat. Its narrow green foliage is topped by tall, wheat-like plumes in midsummer that gradually turn a warm golden tan.
Karl Foerster works beautifully:
- Along walkways and driveways
- As a backdrop for flowering perennials
- In mass plantings for a modern, architectural look
- As a natural privacy screen when planted in groups
Because it grows upright rather than sprawling, Karl Foerster is also an excellent choice for smaller gardens and narrow planting beds.
'Adagio' Maiden Grass
For softer texture and graceful movement, 'Adagio' Maiden Grass is a standout. Fine green foliage forms an elegant, fountain-shaped mound that sways with every breeze, adding life and motion to the garden.
In late summer, silvery flower plumes rise above the foliage before maturing to soft bronze tones that can persist into winter.
'Adagio' is perfect for:
- Mixed perennial borders
- Foundation plantings
- Accent plantings
- Creating a relaxed, natural garden feel
Its compact size makes it easier to fit into residential landscapes than many larger miscanthus varieties.
Pair Grasses with Grounded Greens
Ornamental grasses look their best when combined with dependable green foliage plants. Hostas, hardy ferns, heuchera, sedges and low-growing evergreens provide a rich backdrop that allows the grasses' texture and movement to shine.
These foliage plants also help create a landscape that remains attractive when flowering plants are between bloom cycles. Combining upright grasses, mounding foliage and colorful late-season perennials creates a layered garden with interest from every angle.
A Great Time to Plant
Late summer is a great time to add ornamental grasses to your landscape. Warm soil encourages root development, while the cooler nights ahead can reduce stress on newly planted specimens.
Keep new plantings watered regularly while they become established. With a strong root system in place, your grasses will be ready to put on an even bigger show next year.
Whether you are refreshing an existing garden bed or starting a new landscape project, ornamental grasses are one of the easiest ways to add texture, movement and year-round interest with very little maintenance.