Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses

Quickly, you get a supple and non- invasive screen! With ornamental grasses, enjoy the lightness of Bamboos even in a small space, to divide all in fluidity.

Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
Miscanthus takes on colours in the autumn.

Choosing the right varieties

Prefer Miscanthus (or Eulalia), which grow in dense clumps, as they present several advantages:
- No fear from suckers;
- A rapid growth, even when grown in partial shade;
- Easy to prune: everything is cut back at the end of winter;
- A beautiful autumnal shade (yellow to orangey-yellow);
- Decorative panicles in winter (they stay dry in situ over a long period).

Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
A Molinias’ hedge grown along a terrace.

Several varieties of Micanthus are available: all of them are suitable for hedges. In the shade, prefer the Bamboos-panda (Fargesia), more bulky but more suited to the lack of light. You can also use other ornamental grasses in hedges (Molinia/Moor Grass for example), but the result will be somehow different.

Planting step-by-step

1 Spread a canvas sheet on the clean ground.
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
2 Cut it in a cross shape, every 50 cm.

Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
3 Dig a deep enough hole, in opening the canvas.
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
4 Put the plants in place, in each bed.
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
5 Fill up with planting compost.
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
6 Water copiously during the first year.
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
Planting a hedge of ornamental grasses
If you do not have canvas mulch, use an organic mulch and water regularly and frequently.

Care

Looking after them is really simple as Miscanthus plants grown as a hedge do not require any specific treatment. Nevertheless, there are a few rules to follow :
- Pruning : Cut back the stems at the end of winter (beginning of March), before the new shoots appear;
- Fertiliser : Fertilise your hedge once a year with a slow release fertiliser or some compost;
- Watering : The more water they get, the more beautiful Miscanthus become. A mulching canvas reduces their need in water but additional water might be needed in dry soil, if they are grown in a sunny site.

M. Jean-Michel GROULT
 
Pépinières PLANFOR
1950 Route de Cère
40090 UCHACQ - FRANCE
Tel : (020).7660.0178