Grass

Ornamental grasses are plants that are often used in landscaping because of their beauty. Their popularity initially sparked in Germany during the mid-1930s. Karl Foerster, a German nurseryman, was the one who originated the popularity of ornamental grasses in landscaping. Foerster spent years collecting different grass seeds and plants from all over the United States and other parts of the world. He then planted his discoveries in his perennial nurseries and watched them develop before introducing them to the trade.

Today, ornamental grasses are used in landscaping across the U.S. Now that more varieties are available, you are guaranteed to find an ornamental grass that will blend perfectly into every garden or yard.

The most favorited part of ornamental grasses is that they offer year-round landscaping. Their colors, shapes, and textures flourish in the spring, summer, and fall. However, they still provide seasonal beauty in the winter too. Even when covered in snow, ornamental grasses can be transformed into a beautiful winter landscaping piece.

Because there are many different types of grasses, you can find them in various shapes and sizes. You can also choose from a variety of textures that range from fine to coarse. Some grasses are thinner with fine-textured leaves like tall fescue grass. While others are more coarse, such as Indian grass.

Their different shapes allow decorative grasses to fit in many areas of your yard. Shorter grasses are great to help border and define edges of a planting bed. Larger grasses are perfect for filling up empty spaces in the yard because they add height to your landscape. You can also get creative with your grasses and use taller grasses for privacy purposes, and you can plant smaller grasses in flower pots to use for yard decor.

Most grasses can be purchased as a seed, bare-rooted, or as a containerized plant. When choosing your plant, make sure you choose one that will thrive in your climate and fit the shape of your landscape. You want to make sure you choose the right plant for your space, so it’s encouraged to research before purchasing.

You’ll also want to consider the time of the year you are purchasing your grass. Did you know that grasses are classified as either warm-season or cool-season plants? That’s right! It all depends on when they are in active growth. As you may be able to tell by the name, cool-season grasses begin to grow in the late winter or early spring. They’ll start to flower from winter to early summer. On the other hand, warm-season grasses will begin to grow as soon as the temperatures begin to warm in early spring. Then, they will flower and set seed in the summer and fall.

Once you purchase your grasses, they typically do well in all garden soils. They should be well-watered in the first year after purchase to develop an extensive root system. When this system is developed, they become much easier to maintain.

Once grass is planted, it remains relatively low-maintenance. Unlike other plants, grasses grow on their own without the need to consistently prune or upkeep with strict maintenance.

However, ornamental grasses should be divided to help make more plants, preserve the strain of that variety, and stimulate new growth after damage. This process can be done every three to four years, and it should be completed in the spring right before new growth begins. It can also be completed after the growing season in the late summer or fall.

All grass differs in terms of how long it will last. However, with the right care, your grass can last you years. Typically, the lifespan of your grass is about 7-10 years.

You will be blown away by all of the different types of beautiful decorative grasses available at Cold Stream Farm. We carry several different types of grass, including Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Alopercuroides), Cattails, and Beachgrass (Ammophilia Breviligulata) that can be incorporated into any outdoor design.

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about the wholesale grasses for sale that you can find at Cold Stream Farm: