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12 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / GARDEN
August 24 to 30 2014
Decorate your landscape with grass
Tanatsiwa Hove Gobvu
Take care to not over fertilise the grasses. Too
much fertiliser promotes excessive growth
and then the grass becomes unmanageable
and flops over. These grasses are adaptable
and can grow in poorer soils better than many
other garden plants. These grasses require
little effort to maintain. They come in many
heights, colours, textures and have varying
water requirements.
Most grasses handle heat well and don’t require
a lot of water. These decorative plants
have few if any pests or diseases that damage
them. The low maintenance means grasses
are relatively hands-off after they are added to
your yard. The low irrigation needs of grasses
allow you to conserve water in the garden.
Grasses often grow well on slopes, preventing
erosion of the soil in those areas. The hardy
plants provide a habitat for wildlife and create
a natural environment in your yard.
Grasses are useful in different types of landscapes
ranging from formal gardens to native
plains. Grasses are a very popular category of
landscape plants. There are many varieties
available, so finding one to suit your garden
style and growing conditions as well as your
taste should be easy. Because of their colour,
texture and movement, grasses are wonderful
additions to our landscapes. Along with the
beauty they add to your garden, these grasses
have distinct benefits that enhance the landscape
and the surrounding ecosystem.
Ornamental grasses are colourful, hardy and
are easy to maintain. The texture and colours
of ornamental grass are difficult to duplicate
with any other plant. Ornamental grasses are
easy to care for and maintain and they are
relatively disease free.
They can be used as groundcovers for erosion
control. Grasses fit into many areas of
the yard and serve different purposes. Short
grasses work as a border to define the edge
of a planting bed. Large grasses add height
to any area of the yard and fill in large empty
spaces in the landscape. The tall grasses can
act as a privacy barrier when strategically
planted. You can also plant smaller grasses in
flower pots. The grasses mix well with other
flowering plants.
Grasses come in numerous varieties, each
with distinct features. They come in colors
including green, blue, purple and tan to say
the least. Combining several types of grasses
creates contrast in the yard for visual interest
that draws the eye around your outdoor space.
Long grasses also move around in the breeze,
and the rustling sound adds a soothing touch
to the garden.
Grasses add movement and sound to a landscape.
Grasses look well against a dark background
and placed to catch morning or evening
light. Some grasses grow best under warm
temperatures and others in cooler temperatures.
. Grass is a low-maintenance landscape
element once it’s planted. The grasses grow
on their own without the need for pruning or
maintenance.
Grasses generally grow best in hours of direct
sun each day. In shade, these grasses may not
bloom, and often tend to fall over. Use hedge
shears and wear gloves to prevent cuts from
the razor-sharp edges of some grass species.
Few pests bother grasses. If aphids or mites
appear, spray with a strong stream of water to
control the problem.
Grasses significantly add to the whole beauty
and design of a landscape. They can be placed
on any spot in the yard. They particularly accentuate
rockeries, fountains and even alongside
driveways. Grasses are amongst some
of the great landscaping features and are an
inexpensive way of creating beautiful landscapes.
Pictures – www.houzz.com