Cooperative Living October 2014 - 27

Panicles are diffuse and create an effect
of a cloud of soft tawny color, hovering
over the plant, as the names " cloud nine "
and " red cloud " attest. Muhly grasses
(zones 7 to 9) dazzle in autumn as their
bright red " hair " fluffs up like a rosy
cloud. Stipa has long, lustrous, hair-like
filaments called awns that extend well
beyond the flower, moving in the lightest
wind. Its delicate stems and leaves grow
blonder through the summer sun it loves,
capturing the light. S. tenussima " ponytails "
actually does best in poor soils and
is especially lovely in drifts between
perennials like black-eyed Susan, asters
and sedum.
What background shows off these textures
best? Grasses' light, airy forms are
great contrasts to solid structures of
masonry walls. Consider also placement
in relation to the sun to backlight the panicles
or some dramatic color, like that of
Japanese blood grass, at sunrise or sunset
for greatest effect.
Grasses are sleeker than many garden
plants because of their lance-shaped
leaves that rustle and create another nice
sensory component: sound. Furthermore,
their stems are hollow and sometimes
catch the wind in a low hum like the
sound of a saxophone; this should not be
so surprising when you consider that air
moving through hollow reeds can make
them come to life like a symphony of
wind instruments. As grasses dry, their
elegant leaves curve and arch, making
interesting additions to arrangements.
Just let them dry naturally in the garden.
To cut most grasses back, wait until
early spring and slice clumps to within a
few inches of the ground. Wear gloves
and long sleeves because leaves are
indeed blade-like. Divide to revitalize if
you see dead spots in the centers.
When planting, do not enrich soil
since prairie grasses grow in poor soils.
Rich organic material can make grasses
get too big and lush, weakening stems,
which could cause them to flop over and
fall or break too easily in the wind or
rain. For most grasses, amend rich garden
soil by digging in good amounts of
coarse sand and mulching. Water well at
planting time, and then hand water the
first 2-3 years to get them established.
You'll find minimum work yields maximum
grandeur. n
5
October 2014/www.co-opliving.com
3
4
12
6
1. " Shenandoah " switch grass's leaves turn maroon
in July and are then crowned by airy flowers. 2.
Showy plumes of pampas grass give year-round
interest. 3. Fine-textured stipa has feathery panicles
that billow in the slightest breeze. 4. The dramatic
arching form and variegated color of Miscanthus
make it an excellent background plant. 5. Spiky
dwarf bamboo forms a thick groundcover with
striking variegated leaves. 6. Liriope forms thick
evergreen clumps for reliable edging or groundcover
in sun or shade.
25
PAULA STEERS BROWN PHOTOS

Cooperative Living October 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living October 2014

Cooperative Living October 2014 - 1
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 2
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 3
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 4
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 5
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 6
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 7
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 8
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 9
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 10
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 11
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 12
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Cooperative Living October 2014 - 15
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 16
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 17
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 18
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 19
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 20
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 21
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Cooperative Living October 2014 - 24
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 25
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 26
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 27
Cooperative Living October 2014 - 28
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Cooperative Living October 2014 - 44
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