British gardeners are now coming to realise that Elymus magellanicus makes a perfect candidate for herbaceous and mixed borders and has the bonus of being widely available. A native of southern Chile and Argentina, it is densely tufted with linear, folded two inch leaves in a rich, intense blue. Its seven inch flowering stems rise above its mound of leaves and carry two to seven spikelets all through summer. Elymus magellanicus looks attractive at the front of a border or where its lax flowering stems can tumble over a wall or path. Grow it in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Cut to ground level in autumn or in spring.
Propagation: Sow seed in situ in autumn or spring. Divide in spring. |
It is undeniably a wonderful sight to see these statuesque pampas grasses as components of large planting schemes of grasses or mixed perennials. Cortaderia richardii is an evergreen grass with recurved leathery leaves, in a light olive green, that are about four feet long. Its arching flowering stems appear in July and August and grow to about nine feet. They are capped with characteristically shaggy pampas grass panicles that are creamy white and about two foot long. It is a good idea to leave it uncut in autumn, as the panicles look wonderful with a coating of frost. It should be grown in fertile, well drained soil in full sun and given ample space to develop.
Propagation: Sow seed at 55oF to 64oF in Spring. Divide in Spring. |
In a garden setting, sedges are useful for planting in damp areas such as the perimeters of ponds. Carex 'Frosted Curls' is an evergreen, dump forming grass with arching, shiny, soft green, linear leaves up to about two feet long. The leaves curl at the tips and have a definite silvery hue, so this is a grass that has presence for most of the year and does not rely on having striking inflorescences. In fact, the flowering stems are present from early to late summer but the flowers are inconspicuous and do not add much to the plant's charms. 'Frosted Curls' may be grown on most soils in sun or partial shade but it should not be placed in a position that is too damp or too dry.
Propagation: Divide between mid-spring and early summer. |
