My planting passion is perennials with just a few grasses to add movement. One of my favourites is Stipa Gigantea, the Golden Oak Grass.
Pictured here is just one plant, which over a few years spreads to around 1.5m wide, so if planning to add one to your garden, allow space on day one. This is an evergreen grass, so the basal foliage provides interest year round. Around late February, I use rubber gloves to pull out any dead foliage, since unlike many of the perennials grasses which look best if cut right down to soil level each spring, this evergreen will be lost if cut hard back. I do cut down the seed heads fully but not the foliage.
Fresh seed heads appear like sprears from May, and gradually at around 4-5' tall, they open up, and look so pretty blowing in the breeze, adding movement to the garden, and of course are see through.
At it's peak in July, the seed heads will gradually fade over the weeks, but this grass will still look wonderful in autumn and ALL winter. Other than any stems which get broken, I leave everything until February.
When placing the plant, try to position it where it will catch the evening sun if possible, but otherwise just a sunny position in your garden. Other than quick tidy up in spring, its trouble free and is also good ground cover.
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| Hydrangea Macrophylla with Stipa Gigantea in the distance. |
