Ornamental grasses are a great way to add life and greenery to your garden. In this article, we’re going to take a look at 6 of the best ornamental grasses that you can grow in containers.

Steps for Growing Ornamental Grass in Containers

As mentioned, growing ornamental grasses is easy. If you are new on this, here are the steps to guide you.

1. Add Soil

Fill the container with soil. The ornamental grasses will grow best on moistened soil. Create a shallow trench surrounding the container with the use of your finger.

2. Choose your Seeds

There are several different types of ornamental grasses. Be sure to choose the best varieties to grow. Some of the best ones are Red Fountain Grass, Fiber Optic Grass, Ravennagrass, etc.

3. Sow the Seeds

Sprinkle the seeds into the soil and cover them with a little amount of soil. Position the container in an area that receives a lot of sunlight and ensure that the soil is slightly moist.

4. Choose a Sunny Spot

You should grow your ornamental grasses in areas that receive a lot of sun. Plant it in a lightly moistened soil and in two to four weeks, you will notice that the seeds will begin to germinate.

5. Water the Grass

Water your grasses a little only once the soil is looking a bit dry. Just like with other plants, your ornamental grasses can thrive on almost drought conditions so if it has rained the entire week, then they may only need a little amount of watering.

Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers

Savannah Ruby Grass

Grown from Ruby grass seeds, this beautiful ornamental grass is also known as Bristle-Leaved Redtop Grass. For the best growth, plant the seed outside in a prepared seedbed and make sure to have 24 inches between each seed. The Ruby grass should be planted in a prepared seedbed with well-drained soil in a full sun planting site. Once you take care of it properly, the results will be great. This grass is a great choice for borders, perennial beds, or containers.

Japanese Blood Grass

The Japanese blood grass is a perennial with an invasive habit of growing, so planting it in a container is a good idea. This gorgeous ornamental grass wants cool and moist locations but not too moist to prevent it from getting rotten roots. The Japanese Blood Grass wants plenty of suns, and if it gets, the red color becomes more intense. Water the plant once a week during the summer, while in winter even less – the grass goes dormant.

Fountain Grass

The Fountain grass is one of the most popular choices for ornamental grasses because it’s a very adaptive plant, and therefore it’s easy to take care of it. You should cut back the foliage in spring to ensure the best growth and also apply fertilizer. It requires well-drained, moist soil but will do well in almost any type. Watering the Fountain grass is not a must after it is well-established, but do water it if the weather is extremely hot and dry.

Blue Oat Grass

Unlike most of the ornamental grasses on the list, the Blue Oat Grass is a cool-season grass, but you can have it summer as well as long as you grow it in full or partial shade. To form foliage, make sure there are about two feet of space between the plants and plant them in moist and well-drained soil for the best growth. This is a low – maintenance plant, as all you need to do is feed it yearly and prune it in the fall to remove old leaves.

Red Fountain Grass

Fountain grass is a natural for containers, filling the pot with its fountain-like, arching habit. The rich, burgundy color of the ‘Rubrum’ cultivar makes it a favorite even where it is not hardy (it is a fast-growing grass that is easily grown as an annual). The narrow-bladed leaves grow 3 to 4 feet tall, with flower spikes that extend to 4 or 5 feet.

New Zealand flax

New Zealand flax is frequently used and seldom recognized. Although they are not true grasses, their leaves can be very grass-like and they are used for similar landscape purposes. For spiky, sword-like form and a variety of colors, including greens, reds, copper, and yellow, they are perhaps the most versatile container grass-like plants. There are many cultivars available, ranging from 3 to 9 feet in height, with attractive sword-shaped leaves.

Conclusion

Growing ornamental grasses in containers is a great way to add texture and interest to your outdoor space. These six varieties are all easy to care for and maintain, making them perfect for busy gardeners. With a little bit of effort, you can have a beautiful and unique container garden that will be the envy of your neighbors.