Perennial Grasses are coveted for their texture and movement in fall gardens. Additionally, they look great all season long! However, picking out one or two different varieties for your yard can be difficult as there are so many to choose from.

Our guide will give you an idea of the many varieties English Gardens carries as well as tips for care and maintenance.

Designing

Before shopping for an Perennial Grass, ask yourself these questions:

• Is it going to be the focal point? Most Perennial Grasses naturally become the focal point of any garden. Ensure your grass complements the garden design you currently have.
• Do you want height? Some grasses stand upright and others spill over. Refer to the plant information or speak with an English Gardens Associate if you’re unsure of a plant’s height or growth pattern.

Perennial Grasses

Perennial Grasses are slow to emerge in early spring and often don’t start growing again until spring-blooming bulbs have faded. As they emerge later, they also bloom later which provides interest in late summer and into fall.

Maiden Grass is one of the most common grasses to offer fall color. It is a fantastic specimen plant for shrub and perennial gardens. Plant in groups to build a privacy screen. Maiden Grass requires full sun and additional watering during extreme heat. English Gardens carries the Silver Variegated Maiden Grass, which features white variegation over deep green blades and rosy plumes in fall. The Graziella Maiden Grass fades from a rich green to copper red in the fall with striking silver plumes. 

Fountain Grass is another common Perennial Grass. It looks best when planted with Daylilies, False Sunflower and Dahlias. Fountain Grass blooms fuzzy, white, pink or red plumes in later summer that last long into fall. The Burgundy Bunny Miniature Fountain Grass is a dwarf grass that features fiery red highlights in late spring with stunning red color in fall. English Gardens also carries the Red Head Fountain Grass which forms a low mound with purple plumes beginning in late summer. The foliage turns a slightly golden color in autumn. 

Another option is Feather Reed Grass which tends to grow upwards, rather than arching outward. In early summer, this Perennial Grass blooms small flowers which turns to seed heads, after a few days, that last well into fall. 

Care

As Perennial Grasses start to turn brown in winter, you can trim them back at any time. If you wish to leave the dried grasses and seed heads alone, they do provide wonderful winter interest. If you decide to trim in the spring, cut them down to a couple of inches before late spring when new growth begins.

All Perennial Grasses can be divided when they are growing, not flowering. Divide grasses anytime from spring through mid-summer, when their active growth period is.

Divide Perennial Grasses about every three to four years or whenever they begin to look crowded. To divide, simply dig up the plant with the root ball and use a sharp knife to cut into segments and plant in other areas of your garden.