How Do I Create A Garden With Native Grasses And Wildflowers?

Ornamental grasses can be a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape, but did you know they also serve an important purpose for birds and butterflies? By growing native ornamental grasses, you can provide essential habitat, food, and cover for these important creatures.

Here are some reasons why you should consider incorporating native ornamental grasses into your landscape:

Provide habitat for birds: Many species of birds rely on grasses for nesting and foraging. Native grasses provide the ideal habitat for ground-nesting birds such as the meadowlark and quail.
Attract butterflies: Native grasses attract and provide habitat for a wide variety of butterflies, including the monarch, which relies on milkweed as its sole larval food source.
Add visual interest: Ornamental grasses are a great way to add texture and movement to your landscape. They can be used as a focal point or as a backdrop to showcase other plants.
Low maintenance: Native grasses are adapted to your climate and soil, making them low maintenance and requiring less water and fertilizer than many other plants.
Prevent erosion: The deep root systems of native grasses help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making them an excellent choice for sloped or hilly areas.

Now that you know why native ornamental grasses are such a valuable addition to your landscape, here are some popular varieties to consider:

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis): This grass is noted for its fine texture, beautiful seed heads, and stunning fall color.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): This tall grass features airy seed heads that turn a beautiful bronze color in the fall.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): This low-growing grass is ideal for borders and features striking blue-green foliage that turns a stunning coppery red in the fall.
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): This tall grass can reach up to six feet tall and features blue-green foliage that turns a beautiful reddish-bronze in the fall.

When planting native ornamental grasses, it's important to follow these tips:

Choose the right grass for your location: Make sure to select grasses that are well-suited to your climate, soil type, and sun exposure.
Plant in the right season: Most grasses do best when planted in the spring or fall, when temperatures are moderate.
Provide adequate spacing: Make sure to space your grasses out to allow room for growth and prevent overcrowding.
Water appropriately: Native grasses are drought-tolerant, but they still require adequate water during their establishment period.
Maintain your grasses: Most ornamental grasses require little maintenance, but occasional trimming and removal of dead foliage will help keep them looking their best.

By following these tips, you can successfully incorporate native ornamental grasses into your landscape and provide valuable habitat for birds and butterflies. Plus, you'll enjoy their beauty all year round!