to fertilize during their first year of growth . After the first year , I add some slow-release fertilizer pellets on top of the soil . This way each time I water , the plant gets fertilized . The pellets can last for up to three months , so this also makes for a low maintenance garden . Grasses like to be watered on a regular basis but many are drought tolerant and can go for longer periods of time without water than most annuals . Now having said that , this does not mean they can go for days and days , but certainly many can go for two days without moisture .
In the fall , it is a simple task to bring in your grass arrangement or single plant inside and enjoy it right through the winter . Some of my favourite newer grasses that you might like to try include the following :
● Hakonechloa macra ‘ Aureola ’ — Golden Japanese Forest Grass — 14 inches high and 16 inches wide . Leaves are bright yellow with narrow green stripes . Full sun to part shade . This plant has a habit of cascading over the sides of a container . Spectacular plant .
● Carex ‘ Prairie Fire ’ — 12 – 18 inches high and wide . Partial to full shade . Leaves are green / bronze that erupt into a gorgeous red colour . Upright growth and an excellent container plant .
● Carex ‘ Bronco ’ — 10 inches high and 14 inches wide . Leaves are medium-brown / bronze . Habit is cascading . Full sun .
● Festuca glauca ‘ Boulder Blue ’ — Boulder Blue Fescue — 6 – 12 inches high and wide . Spiky , clump-forming habit . One of the bluest grasses on the market . Striking in a dark black pot .
● Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘ Karl Foerster ’ — Karl Foerster Reed Grass — My favourite background grass grows to 5 feet tall and can spread 30 inches , but it won ’ t get that large in a container . Grassy leaves are green in colour and can often turn tan in fall . The plant has plumes of rose-coloured flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer . The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes from late summer right through to late winter . You can leave the seed heads on or cut them off when bringing indoors .
Remember that thinking outside of the “ pot ” can bring new-found pleasures in your garden or home .
Gerald Filipski continues to wow us with his gardening ideas . Jerry has been writing for us for six years and for the Edmonton Journal for many more years than that . news & views AUTUMN 2023 | 19