How to add texture and movement to your garden — ornamental grass

Late summer is ideal for showcasing ornamental grasses. On this week's episode of the Gardening Tips podcast, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Jacob Burns talks about how to add texture and movement to your garden with grass.

When it comes to ornamental grasses, choose natives like northern sea oats, switchgrass, little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and undaunted mewly grass.

They add texture, movement, and vibrant color to the garden without the risk of becoming invasive. Northern sea oats develop bronze seed heads and are one of the few that thrive in shade. Switchgrass offers height with its upright, reddish-pink flowers.

Little bluestem features blue-green foliage that turns red and orange in fall. Prairie dropseed provides fine-textured mounds with golden blooms. And undaunted mewly grass stuns with its clouds of pink-purple plumes.

Together, they create a dynamic and low-maintenance landscape with lasting beauty.

Every Saturday, listen to a new episode of the Gardening Tips podcast for timely tips on all things plants, gardens and the great outdoors. Look for the latest episode here.

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