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Undemanding and very rewarding to grow, we've selected a range of the best grasses, sedges and rushes on show at the Chelsea Flower Show 2008.
If you're looking for a grass that performs well in dry shade, try Amenanthele lessoniana (formerly Stipa arundinacea). From autumn through to spring, its foliage takes on spectacular red, orange and yellow tints, making it an essential grass for mixed borders.
Plants don't get much more architectural than the bamboo-like Arundo donax, with its magnificent grey-green stems that can exceed 3m in height. 'Macrophylla' is slightly chunkier than the species Arundo donax, has bigger leaves, and is better suited to smaller gardens.
The golden flower heads of this compact grass, and its signature 'quaking' habit make it well worth growing. Place in full sun or light shade.
This semi-evergreen, dwarf sedge is perfect for growing in window boxes. A sunny position is ideal, but it will perform well in part shade.
Carex testacea makes a great impact with its slender, orange-tinted foliage. Easy to keep in normal to damp soils, it reaches 50cm in height.
This deciduous grass favours a sunny, open position. The mature leaves turn purple-red from the tips, making for a riotous splash of colour. It grows to 1m in height.
If you want a spectacular grass to show off in a large pot or container, you can't go wrong with Hakonechloa macra 'Alboaurea'. Forming extravagant mounds of variegated, bright yellow leaves (more lime green in part shade), it brightens any garden.
Launched at the Chelsea Flower Show 2008, Jarava ichu looks set to become a first class ornamental grass. With silver panicles of summer flowers borne above bright foliage, it looks particularly good in a container.
An excellent ground cover plant, Luzula nivea has wide, hairy leaves and arching heads of pretty, delicate white flowers. Plant it in sun or part, damp shade (although it will cope with drier conditions).
Light and airy, with green and cream foliage and pink flowers, Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' reaches 1.7m in height. It looks particularly stunning by water.
An interesting, unusual plant from the deserts of Mexico, bearing clouds of tiny leaves on arching stems. Requiring little water or maintenance, Muhlenbergia dumosa isn't fully hardy, so will need protecting from frosts.
As the name suggests, this grass has red button-shaped flowers above mounds of fresh green foliage. It grows best in full sun in a well-drained soil and reaches 1m in height.
A striking blue grass with mounds of slender foliage and lovely silvery flower heads. Poa labillardierei makes an elegant addition to borders.
clarke_r 24/11/2011 at 15:27
Hi Please Can You Describe How And You Prune The Ornamental Grass"Blue Fescue". Regards Ray
nathalie_norris 24/11/2011 at 15:27
need suggestions for perennial grasses and plants to grow in south facing sloping dry garden that bakes in the sun
bhaynes 24/11/2011 at 15:28
Of all my grasses, I am sad to say I cannot keep one of the best - Pennisetum Setaceum`Rubrum`. I know it needs protection over winter, but having wrapped it up really well and stored it in the garage, it still didn't survive - that's the second one! Has anyone out there got a surefire way of making sure it doesn't capitulate to the ravages of winter or have I got to treat it as an annual?
Newcastle 24/11/2011 at 15:29
Some comments on propogating these grasses fom seed would be useful also suggestions about companion plants such as bulbs.
