Going to transform my front garden

[cpm82]

And have a plan to include grasses and just wondering if anyone has any inspired ideas or suggestions.

The garden itself is pretty mediocre in floor size, with the floor covered in pea shingle so thinking pots which I have in abundance

It also has a narrow bed which I have previously planted perennials along. Would be happy for these to be removed/relocated since I don't think they quite fit with what I'm hoping to achieve

Already bought a Carex

Are there any fans of ornamental grasses and its ilk on here? What other genus/species make could companion plants to them?


Thanks

C

[veggiechicken]

There's an underused http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead_55879.html
How large an area do you have?
I have phormiums, cordylines and an olive tree, underplanted with liriope, growing through shingle in my front garden.

[SusieG]

...............VC, just had a read of the Ornamental Grass thread .............. and Pampas grass ~ REALLY!??!

This Vine is most informative.............................

[cpm82]

There's an underused http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead_55879.html
How large an area do you have?
I have phormiums, cordylines and an olive tree, underplanted with liriope, growing through shingle in my front garden.

Have so far pretty much used the shingle as just a floor to keep the garden tidy and weed free.

We installed a membrane beneath and pretty much want to confine plants to pots and the very small shallow brick border that we have.

I'll try and come up with some photos when I get a moment.

Thanks for the suggestions to date

C

[Jungle Jane]

About a decade ago I had three clay pots of different sizes,with a different grass in each pot,one was curly I can't remember the names! One plant survived to this day,with no feed for a long time,I should've fed the others over the years but I didn't feed anything back then. It looks really nice if you get some different colours,textures or varieties of grass & display them like that. I went to a few garden centres,some don't have many varieties & just pick a few,play around with them in the shop to see if they go together. Thyme & rosemary could maybe fit into the landscape?

[Guest]

I recently redone some planters out front as I was bored of redoing them with bedding plants. I have corkscrew grass which in the past I have only managed to keep a live for a year not sure why. Black grass (not a grass, but if you are at a decent gc they will know what you mean) but you need gravel underneath to set it off and it needs full sun to keep the black colour, good ole blue fescue, a few different carex (Everest, jenneke, a bronze form) and stipa ponytails. I will take some pics for you - be warned though they are not to everyones taste. I have in the past grown zebra grass which is a nice tall clumping one. A couple of easy ones from seed if you are on a budget are bunnytails and quaker grass. I think it is a case of seeing them and going with it if they grab you but knowing not everyone will feel the same, for some reason grasses divide people

[Guest]

Here are some piccies of mine. They were only planted up the other week.

Carex - jenneke, carex - bronze form and stipa - ponytails. This is a very tactile grouping



carex - Everest and blue fescue



black grass and corkscrew grass

[cpm82]

Thanks for the pictures!

I notice that grasses devide people too and it quite strange as the dislike can be on the strong side

[SusieG]

Love the look of the corkscrew and black grasses NFG..!
(is that IVY I spy wending its irksome way around the bottom of the planter......???? )

[Guest]

^^^TY, that one is my fav. My oldest doesn't like it, she prefers the bronze carex and ponytail one.
It is ivy you spy but it is a behaved variegated ivy. It hangs down and you can give it a trim if it gets to long and thin every few years as it clumps up. It is also easy to propagate should you wish. Mine has been in the planters for around 7/8 years so I have definitely had my £2 worth. It is good in planters as it is hardy and evergreen. Have I convinced you yet it is a nice ivy?

[Bren In Pots]

Our grasses when when I wanted/needed a veg plot the only one I kept was a variegated one didn't have space for any others. but I like the black grasses they do look good against brickwork.

[SusieG]

>>>>>>> just a quick aside ........... pampas grasses........ since learning of the *ahem* meaning of growing these grasses in your front garden ............. whilst out walking with Toby dog around the village, noticed there's one property that has six, yes SIX of these rather large clumps of shameless grasses swaying in the breeze ............... >>>>>>>

[cpm82]

In that case Susie I bet they're enjoying themselves..

[SusieG]

^^^TY, that one is my fav. My oldest doesn't like it, she prefers the bronze carex and ponytail one.
It is ivy you spy but it is a behaved variegated ivy. It hangs down and you can give it a trim if it gets to long and thin every few years as it clumps up. It is also easy to propagate should you wish. Mine has been in the planters for around 7/8 years so I have definitely had my £2 worth. It is good in planters as it is hardy and evergreen. Have I convinced you yet it is a nice ivy?

NFG ~ a very convincing plea on behalf of ivy ....... jury is still out ..................!