Indian summer grasses

Here goes, I am going to go out on a limb and predict an Indian summer this year. I say that more as an optimist than as the result of any special meteorological knowledge and in the hope that come October and November we will be enjoying a sustained period of warm, sunny weather, to make up for the dismal summer. 

The expression ‘Indian summer’ is derived from the regular pattern of warm autumn weather that Native American indians once relied on to ripen crops and allow harvest before the onset of winter. In gardens closer to home though there is one type of plant, many varieties of which also originated in the prairies of North America, that comes into its own when given a little extra time to ripen.

Ornamental grasses are not to everyone’s liking, but their charm is difficult to deny when, in late summer and autumn, their plumes fully develop and their strappy leaves take on rusty autumnal tinges.  There is such a wide range of varieties to choose from that there is in fact a grass for virtually every situation and one that will compliment most styles of garden or planting scheme.

Garden designers such as Piet Oudolf brought ornamental grasses to prominence in the Nineties and Naughties with their prairie style planting schemes. For some though the trend went too far, and ornamental grasses suffered a bit of a backlash as a result, often perceived as having merit more as a fashion statement rather than as a plant with real garden value . I am happy though to put in a good word for them! 

The main virtues that ornamental grasses bring to a planting scheme are texture, movement and longevity. The tall, upright foliage of Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, has such a strong presence and can be used as a focal point or even as a hedge, while the foliage of smaller species such as Panicum virgatum or Molinia caerulea combine superbly with herbaceous perennials, complimenting and contrasting in equal measure.   Without a doubt one of the best varieties of grass to add movement to a planting scheme is Stipa tenuissima, with its frothy seed-heads picking up even the softest of breezes. This species is not particularly long lived but it seeds around gently and therefore adds even more fluidity to planting by popping up in new places from year to year.   

Many grasses are evergreen but the deciduous varieties also have quite an extended season of interest.  The foliage and plumes of the many varieties of Miscanthus sinensis die off in late autumn but turning attractive autumnal hues remain standing right through the winter until cut to the ground in early spring to make room for the new growth. The seed-heads not only look attractive but provide good foraging opportunities for birds during the cold months.

There is so much more that could be said about ornamental grasses than space allows here but I would encourage the undecided to at least give them a go. I am sure you will not be disappointed.