Gaura and Grasses

Gaura may not be spectacular on its own,

but paired with grasses,

and it fairly shines in the fall. 

One sunny October day, 

these gentle star like blooms

cradled in feathery grasses

caught my attention as I drove by. 

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

does a good job of supporting

Gaura's (Gaura lindheimeri) sprawling stems,

its soft fronds contrasting

the bright blossoms. 

Gaura is hardy in zones 6 - 9, 

 but doesn't always winter reliably. 

Requiring good drainage,

it tolerates some drought.

Gaura likes sun or partial shade.

It will reseed if spent blooms are left on the plants.

Gaura has a long bloom time,

from late spring to fall.

Though I pass this garden a couple of times a week,

I didn't notice it until the fall, when

other flowers faded, making way for

Gaura to move into the spotlight.

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') and

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis),

shimmer in autumn light and

complete the scene.

Glorious Grasses at Hershey Gardens

 Grasses and Chrysanthemums
brought the annual beds at
Hershey Gardens
into fine fall form 
when I visited in early October.

 Graceful Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') 

starts blooming in July,
but is right at home in the fall garden.

Hardy in zones 9 and 10,

it's grown as an annual here in Pennsylvania.
Like a chameleon, it seems to
adjust to any color scheme.

Purple Fountain Grass hues
blend beautifully with
Tropicanna Canna Lily, while its
feathery form provides great contrast. 

Sky Rocket Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Sky Rocket') is an

interesting variegated variety for a lighter look.

Beginning coppery red blooms of
Morning Light Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light') 
have a kind of a funky spiky flair.
They'll mature into silvery white plumes.
See how this grass is woven into the
rhythm of the gardens here.

Popcorn Plant (Cassia didymobotrya)

not only has an intriguing look,

but enticing aromas as well. 

Its foliage smells like popcorn
when rubbed or moved (truly!).

I love this juxtaposition of

Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) against

complementary orange mums.

I featured it last year with

Chrysanthemum combinations here .

I was surprised to see Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) flowering. 

Cutting it back after the spring bloom

can encourage this second bloom.

 

Containers were full to overflowing -
early fall's abundance is bittersweet, with
winter waiting just around the corner. 

See more of Hershey Gardens early fall beauty here.

Filling the Frame with Autumn Beauty

I like Gardening Gone Wild's photo contest theme this month - Fill the Frame.

It's tough for me to be disciplined enough to

cut my photos down to the bare minimum. 

To keep only the elements that contribute. 

Sometimes I find the right balance.

I find the heart of the picture...

and zero in on it. 

Find beauty in the 

subtle color and elegant simplicity of form in

Cana Lily leaves.   

Or focus on

feathery fountain grass with a

fiery red echo. 

This is my entry in the contest.

Late Summer Combinations III

I'll finish out late summer combinations 
with a few more picks, 

seen around town in late August.

Late blooming Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)

fly high above Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

just starting to gain a rosy glow.

Two of my favorite late summer perennials:

• The electric blue flowers of Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - front)
• A late blooming variety of Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida).

Combined with waning blooms of

Blue Fortune Hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune') and

Lilyturf (Lirope muscari - a few small spikes peeking through in the top right corner),

they make a sunny corner of color.

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) and 

annual Nasturtium are a

treat for the eyes as well as the stomache -

both are edible.

Check out these recipes for

Nasturtium Soup and Nasturtium Risotto.

Garlic Chive (Allium tuberosum) bloom



Graceful plumes of Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides - left)

add flair to any grouping in late summer. 

It's taking over for the fading flowers of

white Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata - middle left) and a

dwarf Hydrangea (right), while

Autumn Joy Sedum is just starting its show (middle right).

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

shouts out from a

sea of purple Verbena.

Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

still neutral in late August,

creates a muted palette with

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca).

Purple Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum var.) and the

blue flower spikes of Lilyturf (Lirope muscari)

make a striking pair.

For more great plant combinations, see: 

Late Summer Combinations I

and Late Summer Combinations II.

Great Grasses

 Ornamental grasses are at their
peak in the fall, but they

contribute to the garden

all season long.

 

For maximum impact,

follow design principles from

Garden Design II - Design Principles for Creating a Concept.

 Repetition and Contrast
The overall shape of Miscanthus grass (Miscanthus sinensis) is repeated in that of Yucca,
while its feathery grass plumes and Autumn Joy Sedum provide contrast.

 

Focal Point and Contrast

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an impressive focal point during the summer. 

The grass mimics the form of Lavender and together they

soften and create contrast to the evergreen backdrop.

 

Layering and Repetition
 Grasses act as fronting plants here,
hiding the leggy bottoms of pink Hollyhock (Alcea) flowers. 
Their arching form mimics the
curved flowers of Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii).
 

Layering
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
works well as a fronting plant for
mid-height perennials.

Line and Layering
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
emphasizes the pleasant line of the bed and makes a
nice transition between the wall and taller plants.

Layering, Repetition and Contrast
Large grasses put their best foot forward
when they're placed in the rear.
Miscanthus grasses are enhanced by
fronting them with shrubs and perennials.

The reds in
Crimson Pygmy Barberry (Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy'),
Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy') and
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) fall foliage
add striking contrast to the greens and tans of the grasses.

Massing
Masses of Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) and
Miscanthus sinensis make
a bold statement in combination with
colorful Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Layering, Focal Point, Contrast and Repetition
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)
requires careful placement to look its best in the garden. 
It shines as a focal point here,
fronted by Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) which
mimics the grass fronds, but with a contrasting form.

Compact Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is
one of the easiest grasses to use in the garden. 
 Its golden plumes add contrast
juxtaposed against bright magenta roses and
Crimson Sentry Maple (Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sentry').

With the right lighting and background,
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')
makes a dramatic statement in itself.

For more information on grasses see:
University of Illinois Extension - Ornamental Grasses
Colorado State University extension - Ornamental Grasses