10 TOP GRASSES
1 Giant miscanthus
(Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’)
Perhaps the most dramatic of all grasses, this super-tall species grows up to 5cm a day in spring, following a late winter cut back, then gradually slows down through summer to eventually flower at 4–5m tall. However, it needs summer irrigation to achieve this amazing feat. full sun/semi-shade
5m 1.2m
2 Evergreen miscanthus (M. transmorrisonensis)
This nearly-evergreen species flowers relatively early, and is therefore a little less affected by late summer drought. The silver flowers are also beautifully pendulous, so a single plant presents itself as a giant vase-shape that has feathery flowers exploding outwards with fountain-like grace.
full sun 2m 2m
3 Sarabande feather grass (M. sinensis ‘Sarabande’)
One of the finest-leafed forms, achieving up to 2m in height and capable of good autumn colour (curiously, particularly when drought-stressed). The fineness of the foliage also means that it is less beaten about by bad winter weather, so it hangs onto the foliage until the late winter/spring cut back, unlike some of the broader-bladed forms.
full sun 2.1m 1.5m
4 Golden oats grass (Stipa gigantea)
If you could only have one grass, this would be it. Flowering at approximately 2m, Stipa gigantea is distinguished by its clear separation between foliage and flower. The leaves only reach about
70cm, but the flower heads, initially a shimmering silver-bronze and eventually of oaten-gold, hover way overhead. There’s no grass like it, and no grass to match it. Unfortunately, it likes it cool, and isn’t much chop from Sydney northwards.
full sun 2.4m 1.8m
5 Feather reed grass
(Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
Clouds of purplish, gnat-like flowers on tall, flexible stems mature into rigidly upright, straw-coloured seed heads to 1.8–2m. Flowering is induced in late spring/early summer, so is rarely affected by mid-summer drought.
full sun 2m 1m
6
Common tussock grass
(Poa labillardierei)
This native tussock has been devalued by plantings along freeways that receive no maintenance. It’s capable of so much more. A grass specialist at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show chose it, without prompting, when I asked him which grass on his stand held the most unrealised potential. Evergreen foliage to approximately 60cm, with flowers up to 80cm or so. The named form P. labillardierei ‘Suggan Buggan’ has particularly good blue-green leaves. full sun/semi-shade
1m 1m
7 Elegant speargrass
(Austrostipa elegantissima)
An Australian grass that could have a big future. Huge perennial plantings in Europe use a grass named sporobolus to create a ‘fog’ of tiny flowers among bolder floral plants – this could be Australia’s equivalent, though it’s yet to be used as such. Fine, gauzy flowers in silver-pink to 60cm.
full sun 60cm 60cm
8 Coast speargrass
(A. stipoides)
This is a favourite of the celebrated Australian landscape designer Fiona Brockhoff. The grass forms tight mounds of foliage infused with bronzy-gold, and it has flowers in a bleached straw hue. Perfect for coastal gardens and other low-fertility conditions.
full sun 80cm 80cm
9 Japanese blood grass
(Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) While this species occurs naturally in Australia, this gorgeously red form didn’t emerge here. Some say it should be grown in moist soils, some say in dry, so I say just give it a go! full sun/semi-shade 50cm 30cm
10 Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’)
Perfect domes of outward-splaying variegated foliage make this grass look fabulous in pots and en masse. shade 40cm 60cm