FILL GAPS WITH GRASSES

Use these low-maintenance plants as soft, wafting space-fillers

Gaps can appear in borders as some plants wane and it can often be tricky to decide what to put there, particularly in times of prolonged drought, but look no further than ornamental grasses. These hardy, low-maintenance, architectural plants are easy to grow and relatively cheap. Many grow quickly or self-seed so you get a lot of plant for your money. Once established, grasses can be divided every few years to keep them fresh and productive and these splits can be shared. For front of border try Festuca glauca, whose short, exquisite blue-grey foliage makes a statement, or give borders a relaxed, ethereal feel with feathery Stipa tenuissima (now Nassella tenuissima), also called Mexican feather grass. It gracefully wafts in the breeze and provides a backdrop to herbaceous perennials like achillea, rudbeckia and salvias, intermingling with flowers. It’s ideal for contemporary spaces, prairie or gravel gardens. Transplant selfseeders and remove deciduous foliage later in the year. If you’re looking for something a little unusual, grow Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’. This clumpforming, impressive grass virtually glows in sunlight, putting on an eye-catching display around 60cm high with beautiful bright green leaves interspersed at various points with cream, zebralike stripes, hence the name. So if you feel your borders are looking a bit gappy right now, then get filling those spaces with grasses.