How to use Native Grasses in the Landscape

How to use Native Grasses in the Landscape

Native grasses & wetland sedges bring an architectural dimension to any landscape design. Tough and resilient, they are the perfect choice for today’s garden or modern civic landscape.

Native grasses always look best when planted in natural drifts, mimicking nature. Even in a confined area you can achieve a natural look by using odd numbers of plants. It is also a good idea to combine colour, texture & height to create interest. Grasses & sedges look great when used to compliment rocks & pebbles, water features, gravel pathways & timber walls. They also come alive when mood lit at night. They are the ideal choice for lining pathways but ensure your choice of variety does not have sharp seeds or leaves. It is also worth thinking about stepping plant heights down towards the edges of pathways to reduce the need for maintenance pruning.

Grasses can be used to frame a focal plant eg.  Poa ‘Eskdale’, Lomandra ‘Erindale’ or as a focal plant itself eg. Lepironia ‘Twizzler’ (See Our Selection).

To reduce lawn maintenance, plant native grasses to replace lawn areas where possible. This also has a softening effect to the overall design. Possible varieties to create informal lawn areas are Themeda ‘Mingo’, Mocroleana stipoides etc.

If you have a steep bank, grasses are ideal. Their soil binding properties are great for erosion control especially where traditional plants fail. Use Dianella ‘Lucia’, Poa ‘Eskdale’, Lomandra ‘Katrinus’, Lomandra ‘Shara’.

In harsh coastal conditions grasses also excel. Often in sandy or depleted soils there are many varieties that can thrive on the ‘front line’ e.g. Lomandra longifolia, Isolepsis nodosa, Themeda australis, Themeda ‘Mingo’ and Poa ‘Kingsdale’. For spots with a bit more protection use Dianella ‘Little Jess’, Lomandra ‘Shara’, Lomandra ‘Wingarra’ or Lomandra ‘Savannah Blue’.

Shade is not an obstacle for native grasses. They can flourish in conditions which other plants find tough going. Lomandra hystrix is always reliable as are its cultivars ‘Tropic Belle’ and ‘Katie Belles’. Dianella’s such as ‘Lucia’ and ‘Little Jess’ are great ground covers in up to 90% shade!

If wet conditions are your challenge, try planting a drift of Lomandra hystrix and its cultivars, or adding a focal point such as Lepironia ‘Twizzler’.  Pennisetum rubrum & ‘Pennstripe’ can add a dash of colour whilst for those permanently wet spots you can rely on Juncus usitatus & Isolepsis nodosa to catch the eye.

In contrast, hot dry situations can prove to be an obstacle. Not with native grasses! There is a swag of varieties that will be happy under these conditions.eg. Lomandra ‘Tanika’, Lomandra ‘Katrinus’, ’Katrinus Deluxe’, Lomandra‘Nyalla', Dianella ‘Lucia’, Dianella ‘Little Jess’, Pennisetum ‘Nafray’, Pennisetum ‘Pennstripe’ and Poa ‘Eskdale to name just a few.

Grouping varieties with similar cultural requirements can reduce time, maintenance & costs in the long run. With most of our clients being time poor these days, grasses are a reliable choice for modern day living. Low maintenance, good looking and tough. These little gems should have a place in every landscape design!