Grasses create a serene oasis

These gorgeous, low-maintenance plants bring vacation aah into every corner of your space!

Add instant privacy with a layered grass “garden”

“Arranging a variety of ornamental grasses in a porch corner creates a breezy feeling of being on a beach vacation in your own yard,” says Chris Lambton, host of HGTV’s Lawn & Order. And the grasses offer privacy without the boxed-in feeling of a tall fence or wall. Lambton suggests arranging pots of ornamental grasses (like eulalia, creeping velvet and ribbon grass) at varying heights to create eye-catching dimension and a relaxed feel. Place pots in full sun to light shade and allow top of soil to dry between waterings.

Create a focal point with a plumed duo

The dramatic shape and height of fountain grass and torch lily make them perfect for adding interest to an entryway, garden path or other spot that gets plenty of foot traffic. Place pots in a spot where they’re backlit by the afternoon sun, which will highlight the plumes’ color and texture, says Lambton. “When the sun hits the plumes, it gives them a yellowish tint.” And popping them in yellow pots highlights the grasses’ natural color. Place in full sun to light shade and let soil partially dry out between waterings.

Brighten a bare corner with a mixed grass ladder

A ladder adds whimsy to an arrangement of potted plants

and has practical benefits: It’s a pretty way to cover up an unattractive part of your yard or a bald spot in your plantings. For the most visually pleasing effect, Lambton suggests grouping plants (like blue fescue and New Zealand hair sedge) by height. “The lower level has the shortest plants, and they should get gradually taller as you work your way up the ladder.” Place in full sun, let the blue fescue soil dry between waterings and keep the soil of other grasses moist.