Some gardening trends in and around Brisbane are quite conspicuous. For instance, it would be hard to miss the current trend toward mass planting, where groups of the same species are massed together for extra impact. Certain elements of formality such as hedges and topiary are also very popular right now. Growing tropical foliage plants renowned for year-round colour and beauty is another obvious and sensible choice, given our climate. And then there’s the contemporary grass look.

The trend to the use of grasses and other similar strap-leafed plants is currently enjoying a lower profile, but gives all the indications of becoming more prominent in the future. As a landscaping feature, this style relies on using grasses that grow either distinctly upright or weeping, to create graceful and flowing patterns. Although the majority of grasses grow in single, noninvasive clumps, much of their beauty and impact relies on being planted in groups to accentuate both their movement and form. Another part of the appeal of grasses is their natural ability to create texture. The simplicity and elegance of grasses makes them an outstanding choice to complement and soften the contemporary trend for streamlined, sleek architecture. Grasses are an easy, no-fuss range of plants that requires little ongoing maintenance. Their adaptability to grow and thrive in a wide range of soils, positions and climatic conditions simply adds to their charm.

Grasses are a surprisingly diverse group of plants. Sedges and rushes are known as grass-like plants and can be grouped together with grass, because they look like grass and behave like grass. Lilies tend to be in this same lookalike category. Some wonderful examples of grasses and other strap-leafed plants used in contemporary landscaping can be seen at the Roma Street Parklands. Even though these gardens are relatively new, the swathes of grasses have matured to create remarkable beauty while looking dignified and comfortable, even during a hot and dry summer. Grasses often prove their value in our climate by thriving, despite setbacks such as a dry spell with high temperatures. Indeed grasses seem to cope very well with stress.

It would be fair to say, in general, that the majority of garden shrubs do not have a distinct form and that they often lack ‘shape’. Although lack of shape in the garden often goes quite unnoticed, it is the use of strong shapes that can transform a garden into something much more visually exciting. Grasses provide some of the best strong, vertical shapes and are a lot faster to establish than classic vertical shapes such as conifers.

Shrubs and grasses make a very successful combination. Even though they are often lacking in shape, shrubs can still be visually domineering. They are not always in flower but still tend to occupy a great deal of space. Lowgrowing clump-forming grasses are ideal at the base of shrubs to provide interest at ground level. Shrubs with deep green foliage can be a backdrop for those grasses with pale foliage or light-coloured seed heads. As grasses tend to grow more quickly than shrubs, they should not be planted too closely to shrubs, especially in a new garden.

Just as some gardeners create visual impact through the use of lots of different flower colours, grasses can be combined to successfully create an effect of lots of different shapes. When growing a mixture of grasses in a garden, keep the planting simple by clustering multiples of three to five of the same species. But choose from species that exhibit distinct characteristics and shapes. The decorative and distinctive shapes of grasses can add character and structure to the garden. Gardeners can also enjoy the visual benefits from the fluid movement that strong breezes create through grasses.

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Always try to work with plants that enjoy the conditions you are able to provide. Labels and signs will give you valuable information on the preferred growing conditions and the size to which the plant could grow. You will notice that some need nearly all-day sun while others can cope with more shade. Some love being kept constantly moist, while others enjoy a drier, well-drained site. Grasses tolerate and thrive on a range of soils although fertile soils would probably produce faster results than poorer soils. Clay or stony soil should be broken up in an area wider than the planting hole to make it easier for roots establish into fresh soil. Planting above existing soil levels, in raised mounds of improved soil, should be considered to create a well-drained position, especially in a clay soil. Fertiliser should be applied, after the plant has established and while it is in an active new growth phase. Maintenance is minimal and usually consists of once-a-year removal of dead growth and tidying up seed heads.

Even when grasses are planted closely together, they can still allow enough space for other trees and shrubs to be featured in the same area. Grasses form non-invasive clumps or tussocks and can be used as individual and decorative plants in pots, as well as in the garden. Different looks can be created with even greater impact, by growing them in groups, using the same species. Some grasses, like the big and bold ones, can make a definite and individual impression on a large scale. By the same token, smaller grasses can command a smaller space simply by having visual qualities that are totally distinct from other plants around them.

Grasses work well as borders and rounded clumps can be effective as conventional borders or even used in a cottage-garden style. Dense lowgrowing grasses can be very effective when used in groups comprising of several plants of the same variety or repeated either regularly or at random, at evenly-spaced intervals. Visual unity in a border, or even in the whole garden will be enhanced by such repeat planting. Lower growing grasses can be used to create flowing, flexible patterns around other larger grasses or shrubs.

Confined spaces can often be considered difficult planting areas given their prevailing conditions like hot sun reflecting from bricks, or dense shade from walls, even draughts and winds. Grasses are well suited to many adverse conditions like these and can indeed turn spaces deemed to be inhospitable into attractive feature areas. Of course, gardening is a matter of personal likes and dislikes, but a point to note is that while bold statement-making plants can make a small area look bigger, so too can small plants can make a confined space appear even smaller.

Grasses also offer variegated foliage. Most variegation occurs along the length of the leaf, but some even form across the leaf, making a band. Variegations are particularly attractive, especially when the pattern varies, offering banding and streaking, as well as colours. Some grasses have brown, bronze or blue tones to the foliage. Although colourful flowers on other plants and shrubs will always be stronger than grass foliage colour, grasses do make the perfect backdrop for flower colour. Green is relaxing and is an important backdrop colour.

In nature, grasses are nearly always found growing near ponds, creeks and other waterways and will therefore comfortably suit the surroundings of any garden water feature. Grasses are particularly attractive when used to soften the edges between the water itself and the rest of the garden, making the feature and the grasses look more natural.

Given their elegance and distinctive appearance, along with an easy-going nature, perhaps you are ready to consider featuring grasses in your own outdoor living areas. With the range of grasses, sedges and lilies available at Hawkins Home & Garden Centres, gardening possibilities and styles are limited only by your imagination.

Happy gardening!