If you’re looking for an interesting, yet low-maintenance plant option for your landscape in the southern United States, look no further than ornamental grasses. Ornamental grasses are a great choice for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other southern states because they mimic the surrounding prairie and are often suited to the terrain. If you are interested in the ornamental grasses of Oklahoma and other Southern states, keep readin
About ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses can be native and hybrid, suitable for sun or shade, vary in height from short to incredibly tall, and come in a variety of colors and textures. Ornamental grasses are also one of the few plants that can be incorporated into landscaping that give the garden interest almost all year round.
There are two types of ornamental grasses: warm season and cool season. The duration of its active growth will tell you whether the grass is cool or warm. If a grass begins growing in late winter to early spring when conditions are wet and temperatures are cool, then the grass is a cool-season grass. This herb blooms in late spring to early summer.
Grasses that start growing later in the spring and do most of their growth during hot, dry summers are warm-season grasses. This type of grass likes warmth in the range of 80-95°F (27-35°C) and blooms in late summer.
Grasses have many uses in landscaping. The tall varieties can stand on their own or make excellent natural windbreaks or fenders. Short grasses can be grown collectively or in small groups with or without annual flowers. Both have a place in rock gardens, around water features, and native or cut gardens. Many ornamental grasses do well in containers.
Oklahoma and other Southern States’ Ornamental Grass
There are nearly 10,000 species of grass adapted to different conditions which means you have plenty to choose from. They can be planted almost any time of the year, but cool-season grasses are best planted in late summer and fall, and late spring to early summer in warmer climates.
Before purchasing ornamental grass in Texas or other areas of the South, take the time to determine what you need to fill it with. Will it be near a water feature, in sun or shade, container planted, used as a privacy screen, for erosion control, or for restoration? Also check if the grass is an annual or perennial for your area.
Dry Shade Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses suitable for slightly shaded areas of Kansas include blue Elijah grass, oat grass, St. Augustine grass, and fountain grass.
Sage, sweet flag, bluestem, red grass, bent wool plume grass, lily grass, mondo grass, switchgrass, ribbon grass, northern sea oats, sedge or paper plant, bottlebrush, woodchuck, hakonclawa varieties for more shaded areas. , choose New Zealand Horsetail. Linen or purple tops.
Ornamental grasses suitable for hot and dry conditions include lateral oats, bluegrama, bloodgrass, foxtail, oatgrass, most cultivars of bluegrass, oriental fountaingrass, Mexican feathergrass, switchgrass, elder bluestem, sedge, and licorice, including blue lemongrass. and hyacinth grass, feather top, ribbon grass, and magenta to name a few.
These are just a nominal handful of the options available in the ornamental grasses of the southern United States. Be sure to do your research and check out annuals, evergreens, water-loving, drought-tolerant, height and width, color, self-seeding or seasonal interest before you buy. Your local extension office and nursery can help direct you to the right ornamental grass for your area.